Security Council Open Debate on the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict, May 2011

The situation of civilians in armed conflicts around the world remains alarming. Civilians continue to account for the majority of casualties in conflicts and are often the deliberate targets of different forms of violence by all parties to conflict. Special attention should be paid to the most vulnerable groups, in particular women and children.

The United Arab Emirates reiterates its strong condemnation of the serious and tragic crimes committed against peaceful civilians, especially women, children and humanitarian and media workers, in areas of armed conflict. It wishes to emphasize that fair trials and proportional punishment for perpetrators and a system of legal accountability with no impunity all constitute a critical step in developing strategies and efforts to protect people.

The events in Walikale in August 2010 and other incidents of widespread sexual violence in situations of armed conflict show that peacekeepers need to have the capacity to interact closely and communicate effectively with local communities and the host Government in order to carry out their mandate and prevent an escalation of violence. We would like to reiterate the importance of taking gender sensitivities into account and making full use of all components available to mission, including civil affairs officers and community liaison interpreters.

We can think of no better way to keep civilians out of harm's way than to prevent conflict before it breaks out. Prevention is infinitely better than cure. We therefore urge the international community to lend greater support to the preventive diplomacy initiatives of civil society and regional and subregional bodies and efforts, such as the Economic Community of West African States Observation and Monitoring System. Such measures encourage stability and thereby reduce the vulnerability of women, men and children caught in conflict. In this way, we might protect civilians beyond those on the agenda of this Council.

We also share the concern of the Secretary- General over the threat posed to civilians by explosive weapons, as outlined in his 2010 report on the protection of civilians in armed conflict. Deployed in populated areas, these weapons cause unacceptable suffering for women, children and men, even years after their initial use. Austria urges all States to accede to and strengthen relevant international instruments, such as the Mine Ban Treaty, the Convention on Cluster Munitions, and Additional Protocols II and V to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons.

It is reprehensible to resort to armed conflict whenever there is a small difference of opinion between contending parties, each claiming exclusive rights and control over the other. In this conflagration, it is, unfortunately, the women and children who suffer the most, as they are subjected to acts of violence that include murder and maiming; sexual violence; forced displacement from their homes; forced recruitment, in the case of children, as child soldiers; and kidnapping and human trafficking, as well as enslavement and other traumatic psychological experiences.

We have remained at the cutting edge of many United Nations operations in places where civilians were under threat. Today, we have a female formed police unit — the first such formation composed entirely of women — in the United Nations Mission in Liberia. Thus, India brings to this table a quantum of experience in actually protecting civilians in peacekeeping missions that is unique in its relevance, variety and depth.

Engaging local communities, including women, in discussions on protection requirements is key both in the planning stages and while peacekeeping missions are deployed in the field. Engaging the community builds trust and lines of communication; it assists in ensuring consistency with efforts which communities already have under way, and can help manage expectations about what peacekeeping missions are able to do, which can assist in preserving their credibility. The development of community alert networks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is a good example of local engagement that allows isolated communities to contact local authorities and bases of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo when under threat.

We can think of no better way to keep civilians out of harm's way than to prevent conflict before it breaks out. Prevention is infinitely better than cure. We therefore urge the international community to lend greater support to the preventive diplomacy initiatives of civil society and regional and subregional bodies and efforts, such as the Economic Community of West African States Observation and Monitoring System. Such measures encourage stability and thereby reduce the vulnerability of women, men and children caught in conflict. In this way, we might protect civilians beyond those on the agenda of this Council.

When conflict erupts, its major victims are civilians, mainly women and children. My delegation therefore welcomes the Secretary-General's latest report (S/2010/579) on the protection of civilians in armed conflict, which provides contemporary guiding principles on the matter.

However, continual cases, such as those involving the mass rape of women and children by rebel groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, are stark reminders that action to stop such violations needs to be taken now. Therefore, today's debate provides us with yet another opportunity to reflect on the progress made, the challenges we face and the steps we need to take to address this recurring problem while renewing our political will and resolve to rally support for the protection of those helpless civilians who so often find themselves trapped in conflict situations.

Sexual violence is no longer a simple by-product of armed conflict. It is being used as a weapon of war, aimed at dehumanizing and instilling fear in civilians in situations of armed conflict. Whether carried out by non-State armed groups or Government security forces in conflict and post-conflict situations, it is to some extent designed to achieve political and military objectives. The adoptions of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) addressing the impact of war on women, resolution 1820 (2008) calling for the cessation of all acts of sexual violence against civilians, and resolution 1888 (2009) establishing the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary- General on Sexual Violence in Conflict are efforts that are expected to give new impetus to the protection of civilians in conflict. As the United Nations considers a new configuration in the Sudan, the issue of protection of civilians should remain pivotal.

The plight of women and children, in particular, remains perilous and requires urgent attention. South Africa appreciates the efforts of many Governments, including those of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Chad, to combat sexual violence, as demonstrated by the arrest of senior military officers involved in crimes of conflict-related sexual violence. The increased momentum in the implementation of resolutions 1325 (2000), 1612 (2005) and 1960 (2010), including on monitoring, information-sharing and reporting, needs to be further accelerated.

In February, at the initiative of the Brazilian presidency, the Council held informal consultations to discuss protection-related items on its agenda, namely, protection of civilians, children and armed conflict, and women and peace and security. South Africa supports this holistic approach, whereby these issues are dealt with in a coherent manner. In that regard, actions undertaken by the Secretariat should be mutually reinforcing.

South Africa is fully committed to the protection of civilians in armed conflict and continues to support a strengthened normative and legal framework for enhancing such protection measures. We welcome the concerted efforts of the international community to protect civilians in armed conflict. Despite such positive efforts and the progressive steps that are being taken, scores of civilians in many regions of the world are still harmed or maimed during armed conflicts, from Afghanistan to Somalia to Libya to Côte d'Ivoire. In this regard, we regret deeply that civilians, in particular women and children, continue to account for the vast majority of casualties in armed conflicts.

We welcome the increased understanding of the primacy of the protection of civilians in situations of armed conflict and the ever-growing attention to this issue within the United Nations. Ukraine commends the work of the Secretary-General and his Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, as well as that of Member States, particularly concerning the implementation of resolutions relating to women and peace and security. My delegation fully supports a comprehensive approach to addressing the issue of the protection of civilians. This will entail, in particular, taking further action to address core challenges, namely, to strengthen compliance with international humanitarian law and international human rights law, including by non-State armed groups; to improve the mechanisms for the protection of civilians through United Nations peace operations; and to improve humanitarian access and strengthen accountability for violations.

It is the same unshakable commitment and sense of responsibility for the protection of civilians under threat of imminent violence that lies behind Ukraine's decision to be an active participant in the provision of temporary reinforcements to the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire. We are proud of the contribution that the Ukrainian aviation unit made to the United Nations efforts to save civilians in Abidjan, thanks to which thousands of innocent lives, mainly of women and children, were spared the imminent danger posed by deadly heavy weaponry. As in the first case I mentioned, Ukraine acted strictly in accordance with international law, and in particular with the unanimously adopted resolution 1975 (2011).

Despite several positive developments in the Council, Croatia remains extremely concerned about the severity and prevalence of attacks on civilians, especially women and children. The Council has a responsibility to respond to situations of armed conflict where humanitarian assistance is being deliberately obstructed, not merely by calling on the parties involved to allow unimpeded passage to relief, but also by imposing targeted measures in grave instances of the wilful impediment of the delivery of such supplies. The Council needs to provide strong and effective leadership on this issue, including by taking concrete action when necessary, with the ultimate aim of ending mass atrocities. We thus support the international community's increased preparedness to take collective action through the Security Council when national authorities manifestly fail to protect their populations from violations of humanitarian law.

We have remained at the cutting edge of many United Nations operations in places where civilians were under threat. Today, we have a female formed police unit — the first such formation composed entirely of women — in the United Nations Mission in Liberia. Thus, India brings to this table a quantum of experience in actually protecting civilians in peacekeeping missions that is unique in its relevance, variety and depth.

An enormous amount of the Council's attention has been focused recently on protection issues, with the Council adopting a number of resolutions and statements on the protection of civilians and related issues of violence against women and children in situations of armed conflict. In bringing those protection issues within the purview of matters relating to international peace and security, the Council has placed them squarely at the centre of the conflict resolution and peacekeeping agenda. That intense focus has, in some situations of conflict, shifted attention from the tried and tested methods of mediation and negotiation that are the staples of conflict resolution.

Situation-specific resolutions have increasingly called for protection to be prioritized in the implementation of peacekeeping mandates. We particularly welcome the development of comprehensive strategies on the protection of civilians, which assist missions in understanding the relevant threats facing civilians in their areas of operation and enable them to better channel their efforts towards addressing them. Special attention should be given to including appropriate wording on sexual and genderbased violence when formulating peacekeeping mandates, given the ongoing reports of mass rapes and similar crimes from conflict zones. It is essential that the Council provide peacekeeping missions with clear mandates and appropriate resources to enable peacekeepers to implement their mandate fully.

Engaging local communities, including women, in discussions on protection requirements is key both in the planning stages and while peacekeeping missions are deployed in the field. Engaging the community builds trust and lines of communication; it assists in ensuring consistency with efforts which communities already have under way, and can help manage expectations about what peacekeeping missions are able to do, which can assist in preserving their credibility. The development of community alert networks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is a good example of local engagement that allows isolated communities to contact local authorities and bases of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo when under threat.

The protection of civilians in armed conflict is one of the crucial challenges of our time. In the Security Council and other forums, Brazil has sought to contribute to the United Nations efforts in that area. Last February, during the Brazilian presidency of the Security Council, we organized a meeting aimed at considering all dimensions of the protection agenda (see S/PV.6479).

It is also important that protection strategies be clear, concrete and measurable. That can be ensured by drawing on clear indicators and benchmarks, which can help demonstrate where progress is being made and where additional efforts are required. Monitoring and reporting mechanisms contribute to ensuring that violations of international human rights and international humanitarian law are documented and reported to the Council for consideration and action. In this regard, Canada welcomed the Security Council's adoption of resolution 1960 (2010) in December 2010, which calls for the establishment of monitoring, analysis and reporting arrangements to address conflict-related sexual violence.

In recent years, the United Nations has made significant progress in the protection of civilians in armed conflict. The Council has adopted a number of important resolutions, including resolution 1325 (2000) on the protection of women in armed conflict, the significance of which marked a milestone in efforts to address that issue. My country has developed its own national plan in that regard. The Council also adopted resolution 1960 (2011) establishing monitoring, analysis and reporting arrangements on conflict-related sexual violence.

How can indiscriminate bombing, the use of sophisticated weapons and aircraft and the death of innocent people, including children, under the pretext of protecting other equally innocent civilians, be justified? The United Nations has made no statements whatsoever regarding the protection of the civilian victims of NATO's aggression against a sovereign country. The silence of the Organization in the face of the murder of innocent people, including women and children, perpetrated by the foreign troops attacking that country, is outrageous.

The ability of the Security Council to enforce accountability for the protection of civilians, especially women and children, must be further strengthened. In that regard, we expect that the monitoring, analysis and reporting arrangements on conflict-related sexual violence requested under resolution 1960 (2010) will be operational as soon as possible. We also expect the Council to take action to hold accountable any parties that attack schools.

It is important to emphasize that the common positions on the protection of civilians agenda, which have been developed by the international community over the past decade, need to be upheld and further enhanced. The updated aidememoire (S/PRST/2010/25, annex), the adoption of resolution 1960 (2010), which establishes a monitoring and reporting mechanism on conflict-related sexual violence, and the new strategic framework for the protection of civilians in peacekeeping missions are important steps forward.

These issues must be discussed in the United Nations, where some are using the noble purpose of protecting civilians as a pretext to occupy sovereign countries and promote national interests. Humanitarian reasons are invoked while war crimes are committed. Civilians are being killed, including women and children, allegedly in the defence of civilians.

However, continual cases, such as those involving the mass rape of women and children by rebel groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, are stark reminders that action to stop such violations needs to be taken now. Therefore, today's debate provides us with yet another opportunity to reflect on the progress made, the challenges we face and the steps we need to take to address this recurring problem while renewing our political will and resolve to rally support for the protection of those helpless civilians who so often find themselves trapped in conflict situations.

Sexual violence is no longer a simple by-product of armed conflict. It is being used as a weapon of war, aimed at dehumanizing and instilling fear in civilians in situations of armed conflict. Whether carried out by non-State armed groups or Government security forces in conflict and post-conflict situations, it is to some extent designed to achieve political and military objectives. The adoptions of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) addressing the impact of war on women, resolution 1820 (2008) calling for the cessation of all acts of sexual violence against civilians, and resolution 1888 (2009) establishing the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary- General on Sexual Violence in Conflict are efforts that are expected to give new impetus to the protection of civilians in conflict. As the United Nations considers a new configuration in the Sudan, the issue of protection of civilians should remain pivotal.

The plight of women and children, in particular, remains perilous and requires urgent attention. South Africa appreciates the efforts of many Governments, including those of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Chad, to combat sexual violence, as demonstrated by the arrest of senior military officers involved in crimes of conflict-related sexual violence. The increased momentum in the implementation of resolutions 1325 (2000), 1612 (2005) and 1960 (2010), including on monitoring, information-sharing and reporting, needs to be further accelerated.

South Africa is fully committed to the protection of civilians in armed conflict and continues to support a strengthened normative and legal framework for enhancing such protection measures. We welcome the concerted efforts of the international community to protect civilians in armed conflict. Despite such positive efforts and the progressive steps that are being taken, scores of civilians in many regions of the world are still harmed or maimed during armed conflicts, from Afghanistan to Somalia to Libya to Côte d'Ivoire. In this regard, we regret deeply that civilians, in particular women and children, continue to account for the vast majority of casualties in armed conflicts.

We welcome the increased understanding of the primacy of the protection of civilians in situations of armed conflict and the ever-growing attention to this issue within the United Nations. Ukraine commends the work of the Secretary-General and his Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, as well as that of Member States, particularly concerning the implementation of resolutions relating to women and peace and security. My delegation fully supports a comprehensive approach to addressing the issue of the protection of civilians. This will entail, in particular, taking further action to address core challenges, namely, to strengthen compliance with international humanitarian law and international human rights law, including by non-State armed groups; to improve the mechanisms for the protection of civilians through United Nations peace operations; and to improve humanitarian access and strengthen accountability for violations.

The events in Walikale in August 2010 and other incidents of widespread sexual violence in situations of armed conflict show that peacekeepers need to have the capacity to interact closely and communicate effectively with local communities and the host Government in order to carry out their mandate and prevent an escalation of violence. We would like to reiterate the importance of taking gender sensitivities into account and making full use of all components available to mission, including civil affairs officers and community liaison interpreters.

Civilians are still, and too often, targets in armed attacks and atrocities and are victims of human rights abuses, in particular rape and other sexual violence. It is the unfortunate and unacceptable reality of our times that civilians continue to be a main target for armed attacks and account for a high number of casualties in conflicts.

With regard to the situation in the Ivory Coast, we also reiterate our deep concern over the reported serious violations of human rights and the use of disproportionate force. We are alarmed by the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the country, where more than a million people have reportedly been internally displaced and more than 100,000 had to flee the country and find shelter in Liberia. We urge the international community to redouble its efforts and provide the much-needed humanitarian assistance. Allegations of the existence of mass graves in the country are worrisome and must be investigated. We condemn the use of sexual violence as a means to political ends and welcome the decision of the Human Rights Council to establish an independent international commission of inquiry.

In our opinion, the question of the protection of civilians in armed conflict deserves more consistent attention from the Council. Statistics over the past 20 to 30 years clearly show that civilian casualties in conflict areas have consistently outnumbered military casualties and continue to do so. In the twenty-first century we are still witnessing gross violations of international humanitarian law in which civilians are increasingly and deliberately becoming a primary target of armed groups. It is evident that the nature of contemporary conflict has changed. Nowadays, in the conduct of armed conflict, civilians more often than not become the targets of armed attacks and atrocities that include murder, deportation and ethnic cleansing, as well as rape and sexual violence, which have thus become weapons of war.

With respect to the systematic violence carried out against women and girls, we welcome the investigations that are under way in the country, which reflect the determination of MONUSCO and of the Congolese Government to combat impunity.

The situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in Côte d'Ivoire and in Libya, as well as other crises, has shown that the vulnerability of civilians in crises continues to be marked by violence of increasing intensity as a result of clashes and confrontations between armed groups. Be it continuing, unpunished violence and sexual abuse, violence related to the exploitation of natural resources or violence resulting from terrorist acts, Gabon has consistently condemned all violence against civilians as well as all acts whose victims are civilians. Such acts must not go unpunished.

Situation-specific resolutions have increasingly called for protection to be prioritized in the implementation of peacekeeping mandates. We particularly welcome the development of comprehensive strategies on the protection of civilians, which assist missions in understanding the relevant threats facing civilians in their areas of operation and enable them to better channel their efforts towards addressing them. Special attention should be given to including appropriate wording on sexual and genderbased violence when formulating peacekeeping mandates, given the ongoing reports of mass rapes and similar crimes from conflict zones. It is essential that the Council provide peacekeeping missions with clear mandates and appropriate resources to enable peacekeepers to implement their mandate fully.

It is reprehensible to resort to armed conflict whenever there is a small difference of opinion between contending parties, each claiming exclusive rights and control over the other. In this conflagration, it is, unfortunately, the women and children who suffer the most, as they are subjected to acts of violence that include murder and maiming; sexual violence; forced displacement from their homes; forced recruitment, in the case of children, as child soldiers; and kidnapping and human trafficking, as well as enslavement and other traumatic psychological experiences.

It is also important that protection strategies be clear, concrete and measurable. That can be ensured by drawing on clear indicators and benchmarks, which can help demonstrate where progress is being made and where additional efforts are required. Monitoring and reporting mechanisms contribute to ensuring that violations of international human rights and international humanitarian law are documented and reported to the Council for consideration and action. In this regard, Canada welcomed the Security Council's adoption of resolution 1960 (2010) in December 2010, which calls for the establishment of monitoring, analysis and reporting arrangements to address conflict-related sexual violence.

In recent years, the United Nations has made significant progress in the protection of civilians in armed conflict. The Council has adopted a number of important resolutions, including resolution 1325 (2000) on the protection of women in armed conflict, the significance of which marked a milestone in efforts to address that issue. My country has developed its own national plan in that regard. The Council also adopted resolution 1960 (2011) establishing monitoring, analysis and reporting arrangements on conflict-related sexual violence.

Children are sexually abused, killed and/or maimed and sometimes even used as suicide bombers by parties to a conflict.

The ability of the Security Council to enforce accountability for the protection of civilians, especially women and children, must be further strengthened. In that regard, we expect that the monitoring, analysis and reporting arrangements on conflict-related sexual violence requested under resolution 1960 (2010) will be operational as soon as possible. We also expect the Council to take action to hold accountable any parties that attack schools.

It is important to emphasize that the common positions on the protection of civilians agenda, which have been developed by the international community over the past decade, need to be upheld and further enhanced. The updated aidememoire (S/PRST/2010/25, annex), the adoption of resolution 1960 (2010), which establishes a monitoring and reporting mechanism on conflict-related sexual violence, and the new strategic framework for the protection of civilians in peacekeeping missions are important steps forward.

The treatment of the protection of civilians in armed conflict is multidimensional and cuts across the 23 work of the various United Nations bodies, in particular in the context of the General Assembly and the work of the Third and Sixth Committees through various resolutions, among which those on the “Status of the Protocols Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and relating to the protection of victims of armed conflicts” and the “Intensification of efforts to eliminate all forms of violence against women” stand out.

Women are too often subjected to sexual violence used as a tactic of war.

Those efforts led to the Security Council's establishment of a Working Group tasked with the protection of civilians and to draw up plans to put an end to all murder and other forms of violence, including sexual violence, affecting civilians. However, the thrust of the recommendations and presidential statements by the Council have unfortunately not yielded the desired results. We therefore call for respect for all legal obligations and resolutions adopted in this area, as the failure to implement them would lead to the proliferation of a culture of impunity and more violence against civilians.

Thirdly, sexual violence against women and girls in armed conflicts is one of the most horrible forms of violence, not only against civilians but against civilization itself, and it deserves our special attention. Women and girls are most vulnerable, and sexual violence has a devastating and corrosive effect on society as a whole. My delegation hopes for increased coordination among the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, UN Women, the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and other relevant organizations to better tackle these atrocious crimes.

Ukraine is alarmed by the fact that civilians continue to account for the majority of casualties in conflicts, as well as a high number of displaced persons. We are deeply concerned by the frequency and gravity of attacks against civilians, especially women and children, and by issues of safety for humanitarian personnel and of timely humanitarian access to those in need, particularly vulnerable groups. My country attaches great importance to such issues, especially in its capacity as an active participant in peacekeeping operations and as a member of the Peacebuilding Commission and the Executive Board of UN-Women.

The events in Walikale in August 2010 and other incidents of widespread sexual violence in situations of armed conflict show that peacekeepers need to have the capacity to interact closely and communicate effectively with local communities and the host Government in order to carry out their mandate and prevent an escalation of violence. We would like to reiterate the importance of taking gender sensitivities into account and making full use of all components available to mission, including civil affairs officers and community liaison interpreters.

With respect to the systematic violence carried out against women and girls, we welcome the investigations that are under way in the country, which reflect the determination of MONUSCO and of the Congolese Government to combat impunity.

We have remained at the cutting edge of many United Nations operations in places where civilians were under threat. Today, we have a female formed police unit — the first such formation composed entirely of women — in the United Nations Mission in Liberia. Thus, India brings to this table a quantum of experience in actually protecting civilians in peacekeeping missions that is unique in its relevance, variety and depth.

Situation-specific resolutions have increasingly called for protection to be prioritized in the implementation of peacekeeping mandates. We particularly welcome the development of comprehensive strategies on the protection of civilians, which assist missions in understanding the relevant threats facing civilians in their areas of operation and enable them to better channel their efforts towards addressing them. Special attention should be given to including appropriate wording on sexual and genderbased violence when formulating peacekeeping mandates, given the ongoing reports of mass rapes and similar crimes from conflict zones. It is essential that the Council provide peacekeeping missions with clear mandates and appropriate resources to enable peacekeepers to implement their mandate fully.

Engaging local communities, including women, in discussions on protection requirements is key both in the planning stages and while peacekeeping missions are deployed in the field. Engaging the community builds trust and lines of communication; it assists in ensuring consistency with efforts which communities already have under way, and can help manage expectations about what peacekeeping missions are able to do, which can assist in preserving their credibility. The development of community alert networks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is a good example of local engagement that allows isolated communities to contact local authorities and bases of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo when under threat.

It is important to emphasize that the common positions on the protection of civilians agenda, which have been developed by the international community over the past decade, need to be upheld and further enhanced. The updated aidememoire (S/PRST/2010/25, annex), the adoption of resolution 1960 (2010), which establishes a monitoring and reporting mechanism on conflict-related sexual violence, and the new strategic framework for the protection of civilians in peacekeeping missions are important steps forward.

Thirdly, sexual violence against women and girls in armed conflicts is one of the most horrible forms of violence, not only against civilians but against civilization itself, and it deserves our special attention. Women and girls are most vulnerable, and sexual violence has a devastating and corrosive effect on society as a whole. My delegation hopes for increased coordination among the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, UN Women, the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and other relevant organizations to better tackle these atrocious crimes.

Ukraine is alarmed by the fact that civilians continue to account for the majority of casualties in conflicts, as well as a high number of displaced persons. We are deeply concerned by the frequency and gravity of attacks against civilians, especially women and children, and by issues of safety for humanitarian personnel and of timely humanitarian access to those in need, particularly vulnerable groups. My country attaches great importance to such issues, especially in its capacity as an active participant in peacekeeping operations and as a member of the Peacebuilding Commission and the Executive Board of UN-Women.

With regard to the situation in the Ivory Coast, we also reiterate our deep concern over the reported serious violations of human rights and the use of disproportionate force. We are alarmed by the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the country, where more than a million people have reportedly been internally displaced and more than 100,000 had to flee the country and find shelter in Liberia. We urge the international community to redouble its efforts and provide the much-needed humanitarian assistance. Allegations of the existence of mass graves in the country are worrisome and must be investigated. We condemn the use of sexual violence as a means to political ends and welcome the decision of the Human Rights Council to establish an independent international commission of inquiry.

It is reprehensible to resort to armed conflict whenever there is a small difference of opinion between contending parties, each claiming exclusive rights and control over the other. In this conflagration, it is, unfortunately, the women and children who suffer the most, as they are subjected to acts of violence that include murder and maiming; sexual violence; forced displacement from their homes; forced recruitment, in the case of children, as child soldiers; and kidnapping and human trafficking, as well as enslavement and other traumatic psychological experiences.

We welcome the increased understanding of the primacy of the protection of civilians in situations of armed conflict and the ever-growing attention to this issue within the United Nations. Ukraine commends the work of the Secretary-General and his Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, as well as that of Member States, particularly concerning the implementation of resolutions relating to women and peace and security. My delegation fully supports a comprehensive approach to addressing the issue of the protection of civilians. This will entail, in particular, taking further action to address core challenges, namely, to strengthen compliance with international humanitarian law and international human rights law, including by non-State armed groups; to improve the mechanisms for the protection of civilians through United Nations peace operations; and to improve humanitarian access and strengthen accountability for violations.

It is the same unshakable commitment and sense of responsibility for the protection of civilians under threat of imminent violence that lies behind Ukraine's decision to be an active participant in the provision of temporary reinforcements to the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire. We are proud of the contribution that the Ukrainian aviation unit made to the United Nations efforts to save civilians in Abidjan, thanks to which thousands of innocent lives, mainly of women and children, were spared the imminent danger posed by deadly heavy weaponry. As in the first case I mentioned, Ukraine acted strictly in accordance with international law, and in particular with the unanimously adopted resolution 1975 (2011).

Civilians are still, and too often, targets in armed attacks and atrocities and are victims of human rights abuses, in particular rape and other sexual violence. It is the unfortunate and unacceptable reality of our times that civilians continue to be a main target for armed attacks and account for a high number of casualties in conflicts.

Despite several positive developments in the Council, Croatia remains extremely concerned about the severity and prevalence of attacks on civilians, especially women and children. The Council has a responsibility to respond to situations of armed conflict where humanitarian assistance is being deliberately obstructed, not merely by calling on the parties involved to allow unimpeded passage to relief, but also by imposing targeted measures in grave instances of the wilful impediment of the delivery of such supplies. The Council needs to provide strong and effective leadership on this issue, including by taking concrete action when necessary, with the ultimate aim of ending mass atrocities. We thus support the international community's increased preparedness to take collective action through the Security Council when national authorities manifestly fail to protect their populations from violations of humanitarian law.

In our opinion, the question of the protection of civilians in armed conflict deserves more consistent attention from the Council. Statistics over the past 20 to 30 years clearly show that civilian casualties in conflict areas have consistently outnumbered military casualties and continue to do so. In the twenty-first century we are still witnessing gross violations of international humanitarian law in which civilians are increasingly and deliberately becoming a primary target of armed groups. It is evident that the nature of contemporary conflict has changed. Nowadays, in the conduct of armed conflict, civilians more often than not become the targets of armed attacks and atrocities that include murder, deportation and ethnic cleansing, as well as rape and sexual violence, which have thus become weapons of war.

It is unfortunate that, despite the existence of international legal instruments and normative mechanisms, innocent civilians, including women and children, as well as international humanitarian personnel, continue to suffer in conflict situations. Undoubtedly, the prosecution of those responsible for crimes committed against peaceful populations continues to be an urgent matter. We believe that the Security Council should further contribute to the strengthening of the rule of law and the upholding of international law by supporting criminal justice mechanisms. The relevant United Nations entities and international treaty bodies should also continue to play their important role. The priority at this point is to ensure the comprehensive and effective implementation of existing norms.

It is also important that protection strategies be clear, concrete and measurable. That can be ensured by drawing on clear indicators and benchmarks, which can help demonstrate where progress is being made and where additional efforts are required. Monitoring and reporting mechanisms contribute to ensuring that violations of international human rights and international humanitarian law are documented and reported to the Council for consideration and action. In this regard, Canada welcomed the Security Council's adoption of resolution 1960 (2010) in December 2010, which calls for the establishment of monitoring, analysis and reporting arrangements to address conflict-related sexual violence.

The plight of women and children, in particular, remains perilous and requires urgent attention. South Africa appreciates the efforts of many Governments, including those of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Chad, to combat sexual violence, as demonstrated by the arrest of senior military officers involved in crimes of conflict-related sexual violence. The increased momentum in the implementation of resolutions 1325 (2000), 1612 (2005) and 1960 (2010), including on monitoring, information-sharing and reporting, needs to be further accelerated.

South Africa is fully committed to the protection of civilians in armed conflict and continues to support a strengthened normative and legal framework for enhancing such protection measures. We welcome the concerted efforts of the international community to protect civilians in armed conflict. Despite such positive efforts and the progressive steps that are being taken, scores of civilians in many regions of the world are still harmed or maimed during armed conflicts, from Afghanistan to Somalia to Libya to Côte d'Ivoire. In this regard, we regret deeply that civilians, in particular women and children, continue to account for the vast majority of casualties in armed conflicts.

With regard to the situation in the Ivory Coast, we also reiterate our deep concern over the reported serious violations of human rights and the use of disproportionate force. We are alarmed by the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the country, where more than a million people have reportedly been internally displaced and more than 100,000 had to flee the country and find shelter in Liberia. We urge the international community to redouble its efforts and provide the much-needed humanitarian assistance. Allegations of the existence of mass graves in the country are worrisome and must be investigated. We condemn the use of sexual violence as a means to political ends and welcome the decision of the Human Rights Council to establish an independent international commission of inquiry.

With respect to the systematic violence carried out against women and girls, we welcome the investigations that are under way in the country, which reflect the determination of MONUSCO and of the Congolese Government to combat impunity.

It is unfortunate that, despite the existence of international legal instruments and normative mechanisms, innocent civilians, including women and children, as well as international humanitarian personnel, continue to suffer in conflict situations. Undoubtedly, the prosecution of those responsible for crimes committed against peaceful populations continues to be an urgent matter. We believe that the Security Council should further contribute to the strengthening of the rule of law and the upholding of international law by supporting criminal justice mechanisms. The relevant United Nations entities and international treaty bodies should also continue to play their important role. The priority at this point is to ensure the comprehensive and effective implementation of existing norms.

Those efforts led to the Security Council's establishment of a Working Group tasked with the protection of civilians and to draw up plans to put an end to all murder and other forms of violence, including sexual violence, affecting civilians. However, the thrust of the recommendations and presidential statements by the Council have unfortunately not yielded the desired results. We therefore call for respect for all legal obligations and resolutions adopted in this area, as the failure to implement them would lead to the proliferation of a culture of impunity and more violence against civilians.

The United Arab Emirates reiterates its strong condemnation of the serious and tragic crimes committed against peaceful civilians, especially women, children and humanitarian and media workers, in areas of armed conflict. It wishes to emphasize that fair trials and proportional punishment for perpetrators and a system of legal accountability with no impunity all constitute a critical step in developing strategies and efforts to protect people.

Sexual violence is no longer a simple by-product of armed conflict. It is being used as a weapon of war, aimed at dehumanizing and instilling fear in civilians in situations of armed conflict. Whether carried out by non-State armed groups or Government security forces in conflict and post-conflict situations, it is to some extent designed to achieve political and military objectives. The adoptions of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) addressing the impact of war on women, resolution 1820 (2008) calling for the cessation of all acts of sexual violence against civilians, and resolution 1888 (2009) establishing the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary- General on Sexual Violence in Conflict are efforts that are expected to give new impetus to the protection of civilians in conflict. As the United Nations considers a new configuration in the Sudan, the issue of protection of civilians should remain pivotal.

The plight of women and children, in particular, remains perilous and requires urgent attention. South Africa appreciates the efforts of many Governments, including those of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Chad, to combat sexual violence, as demonstrated by the arrest of senior military officers involved in crimes of conflict-related sexual violence. The increased momentum in the implementation of resolutions 1325 (2000), 1612 (2005) and 1960 (2010), including on monitoring, information-sharing and reporting, needs to be further accelerated.

In February, at the initiative of the Brazilian presidency, the Council held informal consultations to discuss protection-related items on its agenda, namely, protection of civilians, children and armed conflict, and women and peace and security. South Africa supports this holistic approach, whereby these issues are dealt with in a coherent manner. In that regard, actions undertaken by the Secretariat should be mutually reinforcing.

Ukraine is alarmed by the fact that civilians continue to account for the majority of casualties in conflicts, as well as a high number of displaced persons. We are deeply concerned by the frequency and gravity of attacks against civilians, especially women and children, and by issues of safety for humanitarian personnel and of timely humanitarian access to those in need, particularly vulnerable groups. My country attaches great importance to such issues, especially in its capacity as an active participant in peacekeeping operations and as a member of the Peacebuilding Commission and the Executive Board of UN-Women.

We also share the concern of the Secretary- General over the threat posed to civilians by explosive weapons, as outlined in his 2010 report on the protection of civilians in armed conflict. Deployed in populated areas, these weapons cause unacceptable suffering for women, children and men, even years after their initial use. Austria urges all States to accede to and strengthen relevant international instruments, such as the Mine Ban Treaty, the Convention on Cluster Munitions, and Additional Protocols II and V to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons.

Despite several positive developments in the Council, Croatia remains extremely concerned about the severity and prevalence of attacks on civilians, especially women and children. The Council has a responsibility to respond to situations of armed conflict where humanitarian assistance is being deliberately obstructed, not merely by calling on the parties involved to allow unimpeded passage to relief, but also by imposing targeted measures in grave instances of the wilful impediment of the delivery of such supplies. The Council needs to provide strong and effective leadership on this issue, including by taking concrete action when necessary, with the ultimate aim of ending mass atrocities. We thus support the international community's increased preparedness to take collective action through the Security Council when national authorities manifestly fail to protect their populations from violations of humanitarian law.

In our opinion, the question of the protection of civilians in armed conflict deserves more consistent attention from the Council. Statistics over the past 20 to 30 years clearly show that civilian casualties in conflict areas have consistently outnumbered military casualties and continue to do so. In the twenty-first century we are still witnessing gross violations of international humanitarian law in which civilians are increasingly and deliberately becoming a primary target of armed groups. It is evident that the nature of contemporary conflict has changed. Nowadays, in the conduct of armed conflict, civilians more often than not become the targets of armed attacks and atrocities that include murder, deportation and ethnic cleansing, as well as rape and sexual violence, which have thus become weapons of war.

With respect to the systematic violence carried out against women and girls, we welcome the investigations that are under way in the country, which reflect the determination of MONUSCO and of the Congolese Government to combat impunity.

An enormous amount of the Council's attention has been focused recently on protection issues, with the Council adopting a number of resolutions and statements on the protection of civilians and related issues of violence against women and children in situations of armed conflict. In bringing those protection issues within the purview of matters relating to international peace and security, the Council has placed them squarely at the centre of the conflict resolution and peacekeeping agenda. That intense focus has, in some situations of conflict, shifted attention from the tried and tested methods of mediation and negotiation that are the staples of conflict resolution.

Situation-specific resolutions have increasingly called for protection to be prioritized in the implementation of peacekeeping mandates. We particularly welcome the development of comprehensive strategies on the protection of civilians, which assist missions in understanding the relevant threats facing civilians in their areas of operation and enable them to better channel their efforts towards addressing them. Special attention should be given to including appropriate wording on sexual and genderbased violence when formulating peacekeeping mandates, given the ongoing reports of mass rapes and similar crimes from conflict zones. It is essential that the Council provide peacekeeping missions with clear mandates and appropriate resources to enable peacekeepers to implement their mandate fully.

It is unfortunate that, despite the existence of international legal instruments and normative mechanisms, innocent civilians, including women and children, as well as international humanitarian personnel, continue to suffer in conflict situations. Undoubtedly, the prosecution of those responsible for crimes committed against peaceful populations continues to be an urgent matter. We believe that the Security Council should further contribute to the strengthening of the rule of law and the upholding of international law by supporting criminal justice mechanisms. The relevant United Nations entities and international treaty bodies should also continue to play their important role. The priority at this point is to ensure the comprehensive and effective implementation of existing norms.

The protection of civilians in armed conflict is one of the crucial challenges of our time. In the Security Council and other forums, Brazil has sought to contribute to the United Nations efforts in that area. Last February, during the Brazilian presidency of the Security Council, we organized a meeting aimed at considering all dimensions of the protection agenda (see S/PV.6479).

It is also important that protection strategies be clear, concrete and measurable. That can be ensured by drawing on clear indicators and benchmarks, which can help demonstrate where progress is being made and where additional efforts are required. Monitoring and reporting mechanisms contribute to ensuring that violations of international human rights and international humanitarian law are documented and reported to the Council for consideration and action. In this regard, Canada welcomed the Security Council's adoption of resolution 1960 (2010) in December 2010, which calls for the establishment of monitoring, analysis and reporting arrangements to address conflict-related sexual violence.

In recent years, the United Nations has made significant progress in the protection of civilians in armed conflict. The Council has adopted a number of important resolutions, including resolution 1325 (2000) on the protection of women in armed conflict, the significance of which marked a milestone in efforts to address that issue. My country has developed its own national plan in that regard. The Council also adopted resolution 1960 (2011) establishing monitoring, analysis and reporting arrangements on conflict-related sexual violence.

How can indiscriminate bombing, the use of sophisticated weapons and aircraft and the death of innocent people, including children, under the pretext of protecting other equally innocent civilians, be justified? The United Nations has made no statements whatsoever regarding the protection of the civilian victims of NATO's aggression against a sovereign country. The silence of the Organization in the face of the murder of innocent people, including women and children, perpetrated by the foreign troops attacking that country, is outrageous.

The ability of the Security Council to enforce accountability for the protection of civilians, especially women and children, must be further strengthened. In that regard, we expect that the monitoring, analysis and reporting arrangements on conflict-related sexual violence requested under resolution 1960 (2010) will be operational as soon as possible. We also expect the Council to take action to hold accountable any parties that attack schools.

We can think of no better way to keep civilians out of harm's way than to prevent conflict before it breaks out. Prevention is infinitely better than cure. We therefore urge the international community to lend greater support to the preventive diplomacy initiatives of civil society and regional and subregional bodies and efforts, such as the Economic Community of West African States Observation and Monitoring System. Such measures encourage stability and thereby reduce the vulnerability of women, men and children caught in conflict. In this way, we might protect civilians beyond those on the agenda of this Council.

Those efforts led to the Security Council's establishment of a Working Group tasked with the protection of civilians and to draw up plans to put an end to all murder and other forms of violence, including sexual violence, affecting civilians. However, the thrust of the recommendations and presidential statements by the Council have unfortunately not yielded the desired results. We therefore call for respect for all legal obligations and resolutions adopted in this area, as the failure to implement them would lead to the proliferation of a culture of impunity and more violence against civilians.

Thirdly, sexual violence against women and girls in armed conflicts is one of the most horrible forms of violence, not only against civilians but against civilization itself, and it deserves our special attention. Women and girls are most vulnerable, and sexual violence has a devastating and corrosive effect on society as a whole. My delegation hopes for increased coordination among the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, UN Women, the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and other relevant organizations to better tackle these atrocious crimes.