However, despite the increased attention of this Council, the prevalence of...

However, despite the increased attention of this Council, the prevalence of civilian casualties and the number of people affected by armed conflict are still appalling. We are deeply concerned about attacks against refugees and internally displaced persons camps, as well as against humanitarian workers; the use of sexual violence and forced displacement as tactics of war; the prevalence of child recruitment; the proliferation of illegal trafficking and the misuse of small arms and light weapons; and the danger posed by explosive weapons, landmines and other remnants of war. We also deplore the continued targeting of civilians in situations of armed conflict, the indiscriminate use of force and the use of civilian populations as human shields in those situations. Another challenge is the role increasingly played by private security companies in situations of armed conflict. In this context, the Human Security Network takes note of the recent signature of an international code of conduct by around 60 private security companies, according to which they undertake to respect human rights and humanitarian law in their operations.