Anjali Sharma
GG News Bureau
UNITED NATIONS, 24th May. UN chief Antonio Guterres on Tuesday told the members of the UNSC that the The world is failing to live up to its commitment to protect civilians during wartime, urged greater respect for international humanitarian law.
Mr. Guterres spoke at the debate to ensure the security and dignity of people caught in the crossfire and addressed the related issue of access to food and essential services.
“Civilians have suffered the deadly effects of armed conflict for too long. It is time we live up to our promise to protect them,” said Mr. Guterres.
He called for action “to break the deadly cycle of armed conflict and hunger.”
SG noted that civilians accounted for 94 per cent of victims of explosive weapons deployed in populated areas last year.
Over 117 million people worldwide also faced acute hunger in 2022, primarily because of war and insecurity, which he described as “an outrage”.
He pointed to recent action towards alleviating the impact of conflict on civilians. For example, some warring parties have taken steps to protect children and allow humanitarians to access people in need.
Guterres addressed food security, mentioned measures such as the Black Sea Initiative to export grain from Ukraine amid the ongoing war, as well as a Memorandum of Understanding on bringing Russian food and fertilizer to global markets.
Member States adopted a political declaration on restricting or refraining from the use of explosive weapons in populated areas, he urged all countries to join.
Council adopted a resolution aims to prevent UN sanctions from harming civilians and obstructing humanitarian action.
Mr. Guterres referred to the Geveva Conventions said “These modest steps are welcome. But the terrible truth is that the world is failing to live up to its commitments to protect civilians; commitments enshrined in international humanitarian law,”.
“We need action and accountability to ensure it is respected. That depends on political will,” he added.
He urged the international community to intensify efforts to prevent conflict, protect civilians, preserve peace and find political solutions to war.
“Where war continues, all countries must comply with international humanitarian law and members of this Council have a particular responsibility,” he said.
He urged Governments to incorporate international humanitarian law into their own laws, and military rules and training, adding that humanitarians also must be assured safe access and attacks against them must cease.
He said that Council has a special role to play in urging States to respect the rules of war. Governments with influence over warring parties should engage in political dialogue, and train forces on better protecting civilians.
Guterres reiterated that countries that export weapons should refuse to do business with any party that fails to comply with international humanitarian law.
He added those who commit war crimes must be held to account. “States must investigate alleged war crimes, prosecute perpetrators and enhance other States’ capacity to do so,” he concluded his remarks.
