Statement [Made on Behalf of the Security Council, at the 5898th Meeting, 27 May 2008, in Connection with the Council's Consideration of the Item Entitled "Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict"]

S/PRST/2008/18View PDF

Who adopted this document and its mandates?

A Presidential Statement of the Security Council, under agenda item 189 Protection of civilians in armed conflict, published in 2008.

What subjects does this mandate have?

14 subjects

Armed Conflicts Civilian Persons Criminal Justice Gender-Based Violence Human Rights in Armed Conflicts Humanitarian Assistance Impunity Intergovernmental Organizations International Humanitarian Law Refugee Law Refugee Protection Regional Organizations Relief Personnel Sexual Offences

What’s in this document?

7 paragraphs

At the 5898th meeting of the Security Council, held on 27 May 2008, in connection with the Council’s consideration of the item entitled “Protection of civilians in armed conflict”, the President of the Security Council made the following statement on behalf of the Council:

“The Security Council reaffirms its commitment to the full and effective implementation of its resolutions on the protection of civilians in armed conflict and recalls previous statements on the issue made by its President.

“The Security Council remains committed to addressing the impact of armed conflict on civilians. The Council expresses its deepest concern that civilians continue to account for the majority of victims of acts of violence committed by parties to armed conflicts, including as a result of deliberate targeting, indiscriminate and excessive use of force and of sexual and gender based violence. The Security Council condemns all violations of international law, including international humanitarian law, human rights law and refugee law committed against civilians in situations of armed conflict. The Council demands that all relevant parties immediately put an end to such practices. The Council reaffirms in this regard that parties to armed conflict bear the primary responsibility to take all feasible steps to ensure the protection of affected civilians, in particular giving attention to the specific needs of women and children.

“The Security Council re-emphasises the responsibility of states to comply with their relevant obligations to end impunity and to prosecute those responsible for war crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity and serious violations of international humanitarian law.

“The Security Council underlines the importance of safe and unhindered access of humanitarian personnel to provide assistance to civilians in armed conflict in accordance with international law, and stresses the importance, within the framework of humanitarian assistance, of upholding and respecting the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence.

“The Security Council recognizes the increasingly valuable role that regional organisations and other intergovernmental institutions play in the protection of civilians, and encourages the Secretary-General and the heads of regional and other intergovernmental organisations to continue their efforts to strengthen their partnership in this regard.

“The Security Council takes note of the Secretary-General’s report of 28 October 2007 (S/2007/643) on the protection of civilians in armed conflict, and requests the Secretary-General to submit his next report on this subject by May 2009. The Security Council invites the Secretary-General to provide an update in that report on the implementation of protection mandates in United Nations missions as mandated by the Security Council. The Council encourages the Secretary-General to continue to include such updates on the protection of civilians in his regular reporting on United Nations missions.”

Who adopted this document and its mandates?

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