Security Council Has Key Role in Protecting Civilians, Says Senior UN Official
The 15-member UN Security Council has a key role in promoting genuine accountability for serious violations of human rights, Valerie Amos, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, told delegates Tuesday.
She said that the Security Council’s responses to the crises in Libya and Cote d’Ivoire have raised questions regarding the protection of civilians. The events of the last few months, she pointed out, have 'provided compelling reminder of the fundamental and enduring importance of the Council’s protection of the civilians agenda.'
In Libya there are many continuing civilian casualties caused by the fighting between Government and opposition forces, but apart from that 'there are also concerns at civilian casualties resulting from coalition air strikes.'
'The adoption of resolution 1973 on Libya and the authorization and subsequent use of force and other measures to protect civilians has prevented civilian deaths and injury, but it has also raised concerns in terms of the potential undermining of the protection of civilians agenda…'
She also said that 'in addition to complying with international humanitarian law, implementation of the Security Council’s decision must be exclusively limited to promoting and ensuring the protection of civilians'
Amos spoke about 'the pressing need to ensure more effective protection for civilians in the conduct of hostilities.' She also called for a consistent approach from the Security Council..
With regard to Libya, the Security Council condemned the violations; demanded compliance with the law; imposed an arms embargo and imposed targeted sanctions; and referred the situation to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The reference to the ICC, Amos said was believed to have had the impact on some people in high positions in Libya to question their role in the violence and abandon the Government. But the Council didn’t give Cote d’Ivoire the same consistent approach, she said.
'It is not clear whether the imposition of similar measures in regard to Cote d’Ivoire, and at an earlier stage of the crisis, might have prompted similar action by influential individuals and prevented the further deterioration of the situation.' Amos said.
In Cote d’Ivoire, post-election in November turned into a conflict 'marked by increased violence that seriously affected the civilian population.' Attacks against civilians, sexual violence, attacks against humanitarian personnel have all been reported in the country Amos said, and she demanded that it 'must be investigated without delay.'
© Inter Press Service (2011) — All Rights Reserved. Original source: Inter Press Service