Also in that context, the Secretary-General's report expands, in an unjustifi...

Also in that context, the Secretary-General's report expands, in an unjustified manner, the definition and scope of the term armed conflict to include in that definition situations that are not considered armed conflicts according to the United Nations Charter and international law. In the meantime, the report ignores some other situations that are internationally recognized as clear violations of international and international humanitarian law, such as the tragic incident of the humanitarian flotilla attacked on the high seas despite its humanitarian nature. Let me conclude by reiterating the importance of the role of the Security Council, with regard both to more effective involvement in the protection of civilians in conflict situations and to focusing on the importance of accountability and the need to investigate violations of international humanitarian law and putting an end to impunity. The Non-Aligned Movement believes that the Council should alter its practice and attach priority to providing protection to civilian populations in imminent danger in conflict situations at an early stage, and separate those actions from Council discussions on the controversial political dimensions of the conflict. In that way, as many lives of affected civilians trapped between combatants in conflict areas as possible could be saved.