My delegation also agrees that while significant advances have been made in...

My delegation also agrees that while significant advances have been made in the past decade to develop a comprehensive policy and an institutional framework for the protection of civilians in armed conflict, and that while such discussions continue, urgent measures should be taken to stem the tide of human rights violations on the ground. My delegation calls for an end to actions that harm innocent civilians in conflict situations, including the use of civilians as human shields, the obstruction of humanitarian operations, the theft of humanitarian supplies and plundering of other resources, the use of murder and maiming as instruments to terrify civilian populations, and the use of rape as a weapon of war.