SENIOR UN OFFICIALS CALL ON SECURITY COUNCIL TO BOOST PROTECTION OF CIVILIANS

From: UNNews <UNNews@un.org>
Date: 19 Aug 2013 14:00:01 -0400
Subject: SENIOR UN OFFICIALS CALL ON SECURITY COUNCIL TO BOOST
PROTECTION OF CIVILIANS
To: news11@ny-mail-p-lb-028.ptc.un.org

SENIOR UN OFFICIALS CALL ON SECURITY COUNCIL TO BOOST PROTECTION OF
CIVILIANSNew York, Aug 19 2013 2:00PMThe international community must
step up efforts to protect civilians in armed conflict, and ensure
that those responsible for war crimes are prosecuted, United Nations
senior officials told the Security Council in a meeting that coincides
with World Humanitarian Day.

"Every day, humanitarian workers protect, feed, shelter, educate, heal
and assist millions of people, regardless of who or where they are,"
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told the Council's open debate on the
protection of civilians in armed conflict. "It is an outrage that our
colleagues and partners should be attacked for providing these
essential services."

The debate was held to mark World Humanitarian Day which aims to
honour those who have lost their lives in humanitarian service and
those who continue to bring assistance and relief to millions, in
addition to drawing attention to humanitarian needs worldwide and the
importance of international cooperation in meeting those needs.

This year, the Day falls on the 10th anniversary of the 1993 terrorist
bombing of the Canal Hotel in Baghdad, which housed the UN
headquarters in Iraq. The attack killed 22 people, including Special
Representative Sergio Vieira de Mello.

"On this tragic anniversary, I call again for greater respect and
protection for humanitarian workers and assets everywhere," Mr. Ban
said, adding that while there are reminders every day of conflict,
violence and terrorism, "we can not become numb to this
brutalization."

Mr. Ban said he was particularly concerned about the use of explosive
weapons such as roadside bombs, air strikes and artillery in populated
areas, which can kill and maim, having profound humanitarian
consequences.

In this regard, he reiterated his call to the Council and Member
States to work through the UN General Assembly to recognize and act on
this critical issue. "We need to better understand the types of
explosive weapons that are most problematic. We need to examine how
existing international law can help regulate use. And we need to
consider the concrete steps that can be taken to reduce the
humanitarian impact of explosive weapons in populated areas. " he
said.

Mr. Ban also noted the precarious humanitarian situations in Syria,
the Central African Republic (CAR), the Democratic Republic of the
Congo (DRC), and Mali, and stressed that international community must
increase its relief efforts in these countries.

In her address to the Council, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
Navi Pillay echoed Mr. Ban's call for increased relief efforts, and
emphasized the importance of tackling impunity.

"Providing humanitarian access and ensuring accountability for
violations of global human rights and humanitarian law are not only
moral imperatives, but also legal requirements," Ms. Pillay said.
She added that impunity undermines the fabric of societies and was
detrimental to any lasting solution to instability, and stressed that
countries must adopt the necessary measures for to address this issue
in compliance with global standards.

Ms. Pillay said her Office (OHCHR) is currently supporting commissions
of inquiry and fact-finding missions on Syria, DRC, and the Democratic
People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), and underlined that these are
important to determine whether human rights violations have occurred
and inform appropriate responses.

In addition, Ms. Pillay voiced concern over human rights implications
for the protection of civilians of armed drone strikes carried out in
the context of counter-terrorism in Gaza, Pakistan and Yemen, among
other countries. The current lack of transparency surrounding their
use creates an "accountability vacuum" and affects the ability of
victims to seek redress, she said, urging all relevant States "to
clarify the legal bases for such strikes as well as the safeguards in
place to ensure compliance with applicable international law."

In her remarks to the open debate, delivered via a teleconference from
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Valerie Amos
highlighted the complex working conditions that humanitarians face
every day, and called for increased access so they can increase
assistance to those who need it the most.

"I am extremely concerned by the failure to protect civilians in
flagrant violation of the most basic rules of international
humanitarian law and human rights law," she said, referring to the
situation in Syria, where insecurity, coupled with bureaucratic
constraints and other limitations, continue to prevent aid from
reaching all those in need.

"We need more capacity and humanitarian access must be granted to
people trapped in areas under the control of Government forces or
opposition groups," she said. Meanwhile, in Sudan, an estimated
900,000 people remained out of reach in areas controlled by armed
groups. "Without access we cannot do more."

While the main responsibility to prosecute human rights violations and
ensure accountability lies with national authorities, Ms. Amos said
that the UN and its Member States play an important role in providing
financial and technical support to conduct investigations and
prosecutions.

"National accountability mechanisms can also be complemented by the
more regular and systematic use of commissions of inquiry and
fact-finding missions by the Security Council," she said.

"As we have seen in the evolution of situations requiring humanitarian
response around the world, it is clear that the concept of arbitrary
denial of consent for humanitarian operations requires greater legal
development and policy attention, including from this Council," Ms.
Amos concluded.Aug 19 2013 2:00PM
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