Botswana appreciates the thorough and comprehensive report of the Secretary...

Botswana appreciates the thorough and comprehensive report of the Secretary-General on the protection of civilians in armed conflict, dated 11 November 2010 (S/2010/579). We note the chilling message contained therein, to the effect that “Whether as the intended targets of attack or the incidental victims of the use of force, civilians continue to account for the majority of casualties in conflict” (ibid., para. 3). Given this account, my delegation believes that Member States of the United Nations, and particularly members of the Security Council, should ensure that the issue of protection of civilians in armed conflict remain high on the agenda of the United Nations, because attacks on civilians in theatres of armed conflict are in violation of the Charter of the United Nations, international law, international humanitarian law and international human rights law.