These issues must be discussed in the United Nations, where some are using the noble purpose of protecting civilians as a pretext to occupy sovereign countries and promote national interests. Humanitarian reasons are invoked while war crimes are committed. Civilians are being killed, including women and children, allegedly in the defence of civilians.

Finally, I would like to reiterate that Uruguay believes the agenda on the protection of civilians in armed conflict to be a multidimensional one. It is informed and sustained by more specific, although closely linked, issues, such as, among others, those of children in armed conflict and women and peace and security.

We have seen progress—led by member states in concert with the Secretariat—to improve the tools, guidance, and resources to help UN missions identify and address the threats to populations in conflict zones. We must continue to learn from experience and provide better support to missions, including doing more to address sexual and gender-based violence.

Mr. President, we have a window of opportunity to translate recent Security Council cooperation on civilian protection into lasting improvements in our response to crises. We must seize it—for all of our sakes, and for the sake of the innocent men, women, and children who rely on our collective action to defend them.

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in follow-up to the recent mapping report, the Government is preparing to establish a special chamber to investigate serious violations of international law, including mass killings, sexual violence and displacement, and to prosecute the perpetrators.

As far as sexual violence is concerned, the scale of the problem requires reinforced efforts. In accordance with the letter and spirit of Security Council resolutions 1888 (2009) and 1960 (2010), OHCHR is in discussion with all relevant United Nations partners regarding the possibility of women protection advisers being located within the human rights components.

In eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, conflict persists, with direct attacks against civilians by foreign and Congolese armed groups. Some elements of the national security forces continue to be implicated in these violations. Sexual violence, including rape, remains a defining characteristic of the conflict.

In Côte d'Ivoire, November's post-election crisis degenerated into a conflict marked by increased violence that seriously affected the civilian population. Direct attacks against civilians, indiscriminate shelling, sexual violence, and attacks against humanitarian workers and peacekeepers have all been reported and must be investigated without delay.

The United Arab Emirates reiterates its strong condemnation of the serious and tragic crimes committed against peaceful civilians, especially women, children and humanitarian and media workers, in areas of armed conflict.

We welcome the increased understanding of the primacy of the protection of civilians in situations of armed conflict and the ever-growing attention to this issue within the United Nations. Ukraine commends the work of the Secretary-General and his Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, as well as that of Member States, particularly concerning the implementation of resolutions relating to women and peace and security.