Putting End to Political Considerations Necessary for Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict

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The Security Council can show its seriousness in protecting civilians by putting an end to a policy based on political considerations. Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations emphasized.

Ambassador and permanent representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to UN. Majid Takht Ravanchi made the remarks before the meeting of Security Council on “Protection of civilians in armed conflict“.

Here is the full text of Majid Takht Ravanchi’s statement:

In the Name of God. the Most Compassionate. the Most Merciful

Madam Mr. President.

I thank the Indonesian presidency of the Council. particularly H.E. Ms. Marsudi. honorable Minister for Foreign Affairs of Indonesia for organizing this meeting. I also thank the briefers for their input and associate myself with the NAM statement delivered by Venezuela.

It is a source of grave concern that civilians still account for the vast majority of casualties in armed conflicts. The worst aspect of this issue is that most of the victims are of the most vulnerable civilians: women and children.

Recalling that 2019 marks the seventieth anniversary of the adoption of four Geneva Conventions. a question arises as to why we still face – as confirmed by the Council – “the erosion of respect for International Humanitarian Law“ despite these and other important legally binding instruments.

Citing certain examples from our own region. I will try to briefly answer this question.

According to the UNSG report. in 2018 in Afghanistan. not only have the civilian casualties increased but also the civilian casualties resulting from the use of air-launched weapons increased by 61 per cent — the highest number in a single year since 2009. What has been this Council’s reaction to such a violation of IHL by the U.S. and NATO forces? Nothing.

In Syria. where in accordance with our obligations and religious teachings we accord the highest priority to the protection of civilians. a United Nations assessment mission to Raqqah in April 2018 found that “nearly 70 per cent of buildings in the city were destroyed or damaged and that essential services. such as water. electricity and health care were absent or severely limited.“ Did this Council hold the U.S. and its partners accountable for such a clear violation of IHL? No.

In Gaza. during the Great March of Return (between 30 March 2018 to 29 March 2019). Israel brutally killed nearly 280 civilians. including 56 children. and wounded nearly 32.000 others. over 3.000 of whom were children. Both the UNSG report and this Council have been completely silent on these crimes. This year. the inhumane blockade of Gaza by Israel — as the clearest violation of IHL and a crime against humanity – has entered its 12th year. Has this Council done anything to bring it to an end? No.

Lastly. according to the UNSG report. the civilian casualties have increased in Yemen throughout 2018. with a devastating impact on children. On 9 August 2018. in one incident alone a school bus in the market of a densely populated area in Dahyan was deliberately targeted by Saudi Arabia. The attack left 52 civilians dead. among them 40 children. and 79 wounded. including 56 children. It was “the single worst attack since 2015“. What was the reaction of this Council? Complete silence!

Only through these few examples. one can easily understand why there is an erosion of respect for IHL.

To conclude. I would like to cite two examples from the recent UN publication entitled: “Building a Culture of Protection“. According to the publication. “In 2015. the Israel Defense Forces were initially listed but removed prior to the report’s publication [and] in 2016. the Saudi-led coalition. which had been listed for grave violations in Yemen. was removed from the listing following political pressure“.

The conclusion is: respect for IHL continues to erode because criminals are not held accountable. because they continue to commit these crimes with impunity. and because they are emboldened to disregard IHL and to commit more brutalities.

The Council can show its seriousness in protecting civilians – which is a legal obligation and a moral imperative as well –. by putting an end to a policy based on political considerations.

I thank you. Madam Mr. President.