Today's debate offers another opportunity for the Council to evaluate the p...

Today's debate offers another opportunity for the Council to evaluate the progress made on key issues, such as the implementation of resolution 1894 (2009), and to indicate areas where further focus is needed, including the enhancement of compliance with international humanitarian law and the strengthening of accountability for violations thereof. Ensuring such accountability and enhancing compliance with the international legal obligations of parties to conflict should be viewed as key elements of the Council's responsibility to maintain international peace and security. In that context, it is important to improve the use of established sanctions regimes and to implement the binding resolutions that call on all States to adopt national legislation for the prosecution of individuals responsible for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. In the lessons learned process, this debate should also enable the Council more effectively to address the specific concerns related to the protection of civilian populations. The Council has to send a clear message to all parties to armed conflict, reminding them of their obligations and condemning violations of international humanitarian law.