UN chief calls for compliance with rules of war to protect civilians

Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-24 03:05:21|Editor: yan
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UNITED NATIONS, May 23 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday asked for compliance with rules of war in order to protect civilians in conflict.

"Chief among our challenges is enhancing and ensuring respect and compliance for international humanitarian law in the conduct of hostilities," Guterres told a Security Council open debate on the protection of civilians in armed conflict.

"In many cases, our information suggests that respect for those bodies of law is at best questionable; in others ... blatant violations."

Progress is needed most at the national level, he said.

He asked for the development of national policy frameworks that establish clear institutional authorities and responsibilities for the protection of civilians in armed conflict.

He also asked for principled and sustained engagement by humanitarian organizations and others with non-state armed groups to negotiate safe and timely humanitarian access and promote compliance with the law.

He stressed the need for accountability for serious violations.

Greater attention must be paid to those who are already vulnerable during peacetime, such as the elderly, children and the disabled, who are rendered all the more vulnerable and in need of protection during flight and conflict, said the UN chief.

He called for urgent action to reduce the humanitarian impact of urban warfare and, in particular, of explosive weapons.

Member states should do more to condition arms exports on respect for international humanitarian law and human rights law. And they must call for greater respect for the law and protection of civilians by parties to conflict and, in particular, partner forces, including in the context of multinational coalition operations, said Guterres.

The UN Security Council, he said, can do much to enhance compliance with the laws of war, including the provision of financial and technical assistance to support the investigation and prosecution of war crimes.

He asked the Security Council to be more consistent in how it addresses protection concerns within and across different conflicts.

As bleak as the current state of protection is, there is considerable scope for improvement if the rules are promoted and implemented. "We have the rules and laws of war. We all now need to work to enhance compliance," he said.

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