Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09STATE3955
2009-01-15 00:34:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Secretary of State
Cable title:
GUIDANCE: PRST ON PROTECTION OF CIVILIANS,
how-toVZCZCXYZ0001 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHC #3955 0150042 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 150034Z JAN 09 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 4512 INFO RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA IMMEDIATE 5499
UNCLAS STATE 003955
SIPDIS, USUN FOR LAVIN AND MERCADO
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM UNSC
SUBJECT: GUIDANCE: PRST ON PROTECTION OF CIVILIANS,
JANUARY 14
UNCLAS STATE 003955
SIPDIS, USUN FOR LAVIN AND MERCADO
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM UNSC
SUBJECT: GUIDANCE: PRST ON PROTECTION OF CIVILIANS,
JANUARY 14
1. This is an action request. USUN may join consensus on
a PRST on the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict,
associated with the January 14 open debate regarding the
Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict, with text as in
para 2. Suggested remarks for the open debate have been
sent septel.
2. Begin text:
PRST ON PROTECTION OF CIVILIANS IN ARMED CONFLICT
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, use of civilians as human shields
and of sexual and gender based violence, as well as all
other acts that violate applicable international law. 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 and to meet their basic needs, including by
giving attention to the specific needs of women and
children.
The Security Council recalls the obligations of all States
to ensure respect for international humanitarian law,
including the four Geneva conventions, and emphasizes the
responsibility of States to comply with their obligations
to end impunity and to prosecute those responsible for war
crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity or other serious
violations of international humanitarian law.
The Security Council recognizes the needs of civilians
under foreign occupation and stresses further, in this
regard, the responsibilities of the occupying Power.
The Security Council condemns terrorism in all its forms
and manifestations, however and by whomever committed.
The Security Council underlines the importance of safe and
unhindered access of humanitarian personnel, and of the
timely, safe and unhindered passage of essential relief
goods, to provide assistance to civilians in armed
conflict in accordance with applicable international law.
The Council stresses the importance of upholding and
respecting the humanitarian principles of humanity,
neutrality, impartiality and independence.
Recalling that on 15 March 2002 the Security Council first
adopted the Aide Memoire annexed in the Statement by its
President (S/PRST/2002/6) as a means to facilitate its
consideration of issues pertaining to protection of
civilians and recalling further that in the Statements by
its President of 20 December 2002 (S/PRST/2002/41) and 15
December 2003 (S/PRST/2003/27),the Security Council
expressed its willingness to update the Aide Memoire
regularly in order to reflect emerging trends in the
protection of civilians in armed conflict, the Security
Council adopts the updated Aide Memoire contained in the
annex to this Presidential Statement.
The Security Council reiterates the importance of the Aide
Memoire as a practical tool that provides a basis for
improved analysis and diagnosis of key protection issues,
particularly during deliberations on peacekeeping
mandates, and stresses the need to implement the
approaches set out therein on a more regular and
consistent basis, taking into account the particular
circumstances of each conflict situation, and undertakes
to remain actively seized of the matter.
End text.
RICE
SIPDIS, USUN FOR LAVIN AND MERCADO
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM UNSC
SUBJECT: GUIDANCE: PRST ON PROTECTION OF CIVILIANS,
JANUARY 14
1. This is an action request. USUN may join consensus on
a PRST on the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict,
associated with the January 14 open debate regarding the
Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict, with text as in
para 2. Suggested remarks for the open debate have been
sent septel.
2. Begin text:
PRST ON PROTECTION OF CIVILIANS IN ARMED CONFLICT
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, use of civilians as human shields
and of sexual and gender based violence, as well as all
other acts that violate applicable international law. 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 and to meet their basic needs, including by
giving attention to the specific needs of women and
children.
The Security Council recalls the obligations of all States
to ensure respect for international humanitarian law,
including the four Geneva conventions, and emphasizes the
responsibility of States to comply with their obligations
to end impunity and to prosecute those responsible for war
crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity or other serious
violations of international humanitarian law.
The Security Council recognizes the needs of civilians
under foreign occupation and stresses further, in this
regard, the responsibilities of the occupying Power.
The Security Council condemns terrorism in all its forms
and manifestations, however and by whomever committed.
The Security Council underlines the importance of safe and
unhindered access of humanitarian personnel, and of the
timely, safe and unhindered passage of essential relief
goods, to provide assistance to civilians in armed
conflict in accordance with applicable international law.
The Council stresses the importance of upholding and
respecting the humanitarian principles of humanity,
neutrality, impartiality and independence.
Recalling that on 15 March 2002 the Security Council first
adopted the Aide Memoire annexed in the Statement by its
President (S/PRST/2002/6) as a means to facilitate its
consideration of issues pertaining to protection of
civilians and recalling further that in the Statements by
its President of 20 December 2002 (S/PRST/2002/41) and 15
December 2003 (S/PRST/2003/27),the Security Council
expressed its willingness to update the Aide Memoire
regularly in order to reflect emerging trends in the
protection of civilians in armed conflict, the Security
Council adopts the updated Aide Memoire contained in the
annex to this Presidential Statement.
The Security Council reiterates the importance of the Aide
Memoire as a practical tool that provides a basis for
improved analysis and diagnosis of key protection issues,
particularly during deliberations on peacekeeping
mandates, and stresses the need to implement the
approaches set out therein on a more regular and
consistent basis, taking into account the particular
circumstances of each conflict situation, and undertakes
to remain actively seized of the matter.
End text.
RICE