Implementation

As emphasized in resolution 1894 (2009), the primary responsibility for ensuring accountability for violations of humanitarian and human rights law rests first and foremost with States. In practical terms that means disseminating information about international humanitarian and human rights law. It means training combatants and ensuring that their orders and instructions comply with international law and are observed.

Access is a fundamental prerequisite to humanitarian action and yet, as the annex to the report demonstrates, it is frequently compromised. Bureaucratic constraints, active hostilities, deliberate attacks against humanitarian workers and the economically motivated theft of humanitarian supplies and equipment continue to undermine efforts to protect and assist those in need.

We believe that full compliance with existing international humanitarian law is essential for safeguarding civilians in armed conflicts. Our focus must be on where the consequences of armed conflict are felt, that is, on the ground.

Thirdly, with regard to enhancing accountability, the perpetrators of violations of international humanitarian law must be brought to justice. Norway firmly believes that we need to enhance the effectiveness of accountability mechanisMs. We welcome the commitment of the Security Council to establish a stronger protection framework for children in armed conflict, most recently through resolution 1882 (2009).

We welcome the Secretary-General's progress report (S/2010/579) and commend its analytical depth and consultative observations. Judging from the wideranging perspectives shared with us today, the protection of civilians in armed conflict is an important yet daunting global challenge.

We also recognize the contribution of some individual Member States and regional organizations to these developments. At the regional level, Nigeria is a signatory to the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa — the Kampala Convention.

The international community should remain vigilant and bear its fair share of our collective responsibility to protect civilians. If we act purposefully and in concert, we can better shield civilians from the ravages of armed conflict. Mr. President, we support the presidential statement adopted earlier that was prepared under your guidance (S/PRST/2010/25).

The acts of rape perpetrated by rebels in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo in August and the recent assault on civilians in Western Sahara illustrate the magnitude of the task of civilian protection. Difficult protection challenges remain in Afghanistan and Somalia.

Post-conflict peacebuilding efforts through the Peacebuilding Commission should also be intensified. Such peacebuilding strategies should not only address immediate challenges, but also lay the foundation for long-term development. We agree with the Secretary- General's recommendation concerning the need to develop a set of indicators for the systematic monitoring of and reporting on protection of civilians in armed conflicts.

Nigeria believes that the responsibility to protect civilians in armed conflict situations is a shared one, although the primary burden rests with national Governments. The cooperative engagement of all actors on the ground and of policymakers is necessary to support national Governments in securing and protecting their civilian populations.