The Group of Friends welcomes the latest report of the Secretary-General unde...

The Group of Friends welcomes the latest report of the Secretary-General under review today (S/2013/689). In the past couple of months, crises have emerged, re-emerged or have been amplified in many different places, and it is with great concern that we observe that the number of civilians affected by armed conflict has significantly increased over the period covered by the report in almost all of the countries reviewed. While all civilians may be victims of conflict in various ways, women and children are particularly exposed during all stages of armed conflict. The full implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) and related resolutions is crucial in that regard.