Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the United Nations

Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the United Nations

Statement by Permanent Representative Vassily Nebenzia at the UN Security Council Meeting "Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict"

Mm. Minister,

We welcome you in the Chair of the Security Council. May I express our appreciation to our Indonesian colleagues for their proposal to address the issue of protecting civilians in armed conflict.

May I also thank Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross Peter Maurer, and Executive Director of Center for Civilians in Conflict Federico Borello for their contribution to this discussion.

Over the recent 20 years, the issue of protection of civilians in armed conflict has taken a unique place in the work of the Security Council. The Council has adopted a number of important resolutions that define the activities of UNSC and set standards in this field. Throughout these years, the Council has promoted the regime of protection of civilians and saving of people’s lives.

However, the number of victims of armed conflicts is inexcusably high, the major part of them being women and children. The nature of armed clashes has changed, which brings about new challenges. Solutions to these challenges should be found on the basis of continued dialogue and joint efforts to prevent conflicts and settle them peacefully. Only this approach that is based on the international law in its classic interpretation, without any made-up and far-fetched concepts, can yield a positive result.

Mm. President,

There is a particular threat posed by terrorist groups that engage in armed conflicts. For them it is a norm to hold mass executions, use civil facilities as “cover-up”, use peaceful people as a “human shield”, and create obstacles for deliveries of humanitarian aid.

The toll of civilians affected by terrorists is discouraging. It underscores the need of extra mobilization of efforts of States, the UN, and humanitarian organizations in order to strengthen mechanisms that counter the global terrorist threat.

There is no doubt that terrorist activity must be suppressed by a reasonable and proportionate force. For instance, we have concerns about the growing use of armed UAVs. There are some challenges related to control of these devices, which leads to an increase in the number of victims among civilians. This is what we saw in Afghanistan. We are concerned by death of civilians as well as by distress they are exposed to, as they have to live under a constant threat of devastating missile strikes. 

Mr. President,

Humanitarian aspect is another important factor in terms of protecting civilians. Activities of humanitarian mechanisms should base on the UN Charter and basic humanitarian principles. We condemn in strongest terms the use of humanitarian pretext for criminal purposes, to assist terrorists and spread disinformation. The notorious “White Helmets” in Syria – the organization I mean in the first place – have already inflicted serious damage on the Syrian peace process and to a greater extent compromised the international humanitarian movement.

Unprecedented politicization of humanitarian dimension that we witness today does not add to achieving of our noble goal to prevent and minimize sufferings of peaceful population.

Humanitarian assistance must always focus on people in need of help rather than on political tasks. This relates to assessment of humanitarian needs that should be carried out in collaboration with authorities of the affected side as stipulated in basic UNGA resolutions. Unfortunately, the Secretariat’s division that is responsible for this assessment does not always manage to ensure compliance with this rule. We call to pay increased attention to this.

Mm. President,

Now the last but not the least issue. Recently specialized international organizations, civil society, and academia have started a sort of “sports competition” where they strive to come up with an interesting novelty to discuss in the framework of protecting civilians in armed conflict. The Security Council has also got infected with this. Do not invent any new international legal concepts that are allegedly aimed to fill in “gaps” in the protection regime established by the Geneva Conventions. Do not get preoccupied with devising new categories of individuals who should need specific protection under the international humanitarian law. In practical terms, such ideas can only loosen protection that is provided to civilians. The task of the Security Council is to focus on practical work to protect civilians in the framework of existing international legal norms and of its effective mandate.

Thank you.