The need to enhance accountability for violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law is fundamental to enhancing compliance with international law by parties to conflict.

The attention of the Security Council to the situation of civilians in armed conflict remains vital and must be at the centre of the Council's deliberations and actions. As the Secretary-General pointed out in his report, that is particularly the case in the many protracted violent crises and conflicts with little prospect of a peaceful resolution in the near future.

Particular consideration must be given to the protection of civilians in armed conflicts aggravated by population displacement and foreign military occupation. There is increased recognition of the need to address the impact of conflict on housing, land and property, in particular in relation to the return of internally displaced persons and refugees.

Azerbaijan is of the view that the lack of agreement on political issues should not be used as a pretext to ignore problems caused by continued and deliberate disrespect for international humanitarian and human rights law in situations of armed conflict and foreign military occupation. The fact that illegal situations continue because of political circumstances does not mean that they should be tolerated and allowed to continue forever.

Any steps aimed at promoting a culture of impunity — including measures to promote a war of aggression — or to glorify perpetrators of the most serious international offences or promote the odious ideas of racial superiority can contribute to further violations of humanitarian and human rights law, in particular with respect to peoples uprooted from their homes through continued acts of foreign military intervention, aggression or

While we share the Secretary-General's assessment that more needs to be done to meet the five core challenges, we are also encouraged by the progress made over the past year in implementing resolution 1894 (2009). I would like to thank the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the Department of Peacekeeping Operations for their consistent work and support.

While our membership of the Security Council comes to an end next month, let me assure you, Mr. President, that my country will remain strongly committed to the subject of today's debate. In this context we are very much encouraged by the continuing strong interest of the membership of the United Nations in issues regarding protection of civilians, as is demonstrated by the broad attendance at today's debate.

We share the concern of the Secretary-General over the threat posed to civilians by explosive weapons, particularly when used in densely populated areas, and I am grateful for the very clear words of Under- Secretary-General Amos on this subject. On 16 September, Austria, together with OCHA, hosted a panel discussion on that subject that clearly demonstrated the need for more systematic data and analysis.

We are encouraged by the fact that the Secretary- General's report has noted a change in the way and extent to which protection is addressed in Council resolutions, including in the mandates of peacekeeping operations.

Mass rapes in Kibua in Eastern Congo in July and August this year have demonstrated the massive challenges we still face in preventing and responding to such atrocious crimes. As the presidential statement rightly underlines, peacekeeping missions must communicate with the local communities and must be equipped with the necessary capacities to do so.