S/PV.5898
5898th meeting
Tuesday, 27 May 2008, 10 a.m.
New York
Protection of civilians in armed conflict
Mr. Ettalhi (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya) (spoke in Arabic): At the outset, I would like to extend my thanks to Mr. John Holmes, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, for the valuable and comprehensive briefing. We highly value his efforts and endeavours in this field.
The issue under discussion in this meeting, based on the framework of a previous understanding reached in the Council, is one that unites us all. Protection of civilians in armed conflicts is one of the highest legal, moral and religious commitments and is an absolute priority in our work.
At the end of the last century, the Council started to give priority to the commitment. After the civilian tragedies in Rwanda and Bosnia, the first open meeting of the Council was crowned by a presidential statement (S/PRST/1999/6) that revealed the growing gap between the provisions of international law and their implementation and emphasized a coordinated and comprehensive method for protecting civilians.
The report of the Secretary-General (S/1999/957), issued at the end of the last century, set out specific measures that could be undertaken by the Council within its mandate. It was followed by other reports, the most recent of which was last year’s, which determined measures to be taken rapidly and systematically.
The discussions in the Council advanced, and a number of working groups have been established. Many resolutions have been issued, such as 1674 (2006) and 1738 (2006), as well as a number of presidential statements. Most of those resolutions and presidential statements underscored the Council’s commitment to protect civilians and to condemn any violations of international humanitarian law, human rights law, refugee law and to combat impunity and safeguard access of humanitarian assistance and the safety of humanitarian workers.
In the 2005 World Summit Outcome document (General Assembly resolution 60/1), all States accepted the principle of the responsibility to protect. The most recent report of the Secretary-General noted the advances in the implementation of this principle. The role of the Council has grown in a number of ways, such as combating sexual enslavement, protecting women and children and controlling the spread of small arms and light weapons. Many measures were taken to promote and build national and international judicial capacities to combat impunity from punishment, and some of the activities relating to the protection of civilians were given to peacekeeping operations, whose humanitarian role we highly value. We support the Secretary-General’s recommendation of the importance of promoting it.
In addition to what we have said, I regret to say that action is needed in a number of areas in Africa, particularly in Somalia, and in Asia, especially in Palestine. I remind members of what was in the UNICEF documents and in those of the Secretary-General in his briefing concerning the tragic situation existing up to today in the Gaza Strip. Actions include the deliberate and arbitrary military attacks against vulnerable civilian populations, the continuous humanitarian impact of mines and cluster bombs, which have been spread in civilian areas, administrative detention, internal and external displacement, collective punishment, measures to eradicate cultural identity, bulldozing of land and the demolition of property, including refugee camps.
In summary, those are all actions that are criminalized by the provisions of the law, including the provisions of the Fourth Geneva Convention, on the protection of civilians in times of war, which includes occupation and which is ratified by all States. Despite all this, the Council stands idly by and does nothing. That situation reminds us of an old position leading to human tragedies that we all know.
The Security Council, in taking humanitarian action to protect civilians, cannot be selective, far from balanced and transparent. Action must be in accordance with a method supported by an accountability system and specific sanctions. Everyone should submit and comply with the provisions of law and allow none to enjoy impunity.
Finally, I would like to thank you, Mr. President. We are all full of hope that our deliberations will end with tangible and general progress in an issue that is linked to the dignity of humanity.
