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 11 November 2009
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UN debates on how to better protect those in need

11/11/2009

The Security Council on Wednesday discussed ways on how to ensure more effective protection of civilians in armed conflict.

children in security of peacekeepers

children in security of peacekeepers

The Security Council on Wednesday discussed ways on how to ensure more effective protection of civilians in armed conflict.

Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon said this debate marks the tenth anniversary of the Security Council's engagement on the protection of civilians in armed conflict and urged the Council to find better ways to address the issue.

"The past ten years have seen some major conflicts come to an end. But others have persisted and new ones have broken out. In old and new alike, we see appalling levels of human suffering, and a fundamental failure of parties involved to respect their obligations to protect civilians. This failure demands a reinvigorated commitment by the Security Council, Member States, and the United Nations to the principles of international humanitarian law, human rights law and refugee law."

In practical terms, Ban says, this requires the UN to take up some core challenges which have to do with getting parties to conflict to comply with international law, particularly in the conduct of hostilities.

He advised the Council to include a more consistent engagement with non-State armed groups to ensure their compliance and guarantee the safe passage of humanitarian actors.

He also called for more accountability for individuals who commit war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and other serious violations of international humanitarian law.

He ended by asking the Council to focus on the future, and not to dwell too long on what has been achieved.

Jocelyne Sambira, United Nations
(duration: 1'39")

Sound bites

Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary-General addressing UN Security Council

"The past ten years have seen some major conflicts come to an end. But others have persisted and new ones have broken out. In old and new alike, we see appalling levels of human suffering, and a fundamental failure of parties involved to respect their obligations to protect civilians. This failure demands a reinvigorated commitment by the Security Council, Member States, and the United Nations to the principles of international humanitarian law, human rights law and refugee law."
Duration: 36 secs

Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary-General addressing UN Security Council

"Not so long ago, many Member States questioned whether internal armed conflict posed a threat to international peace and security. Today, the regional dimensions and destabilizing effects of internal conflicts have been firmly recognized. Not so long ago, Member States questioned whether the UN Charter contemplated the protection of civilians as a legitimate subject of a peacekeeping mandate. Today, the Council readily demonstrates its willingness to address the protection needs of civilians in situations on its agenda. This is a welcome situation and evolution. However, even conflicts that are not perceived by all Council members to have implications for international peace and security could have a dramatic impact on civilians, and therefore warrant Council attention."
Duration: 1'01"

Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary-General addressing UN Security Council

"At the moment, under mandates from this Council, we are able to examine and report on the impact of armed conflict on children and, soon, on sexual violence perpetrated against women wherever there is conflict and without additional procedural hurdle. This has been a welcome step. I now welcome your thoughts on what we have learned from these mechanisms that could be applied to the broader task of protecting civilians."
Duration: 33 secs