Implementation

It is evident that composite measures are required to protect civilians, prevent conflicts and deal with their consequences. There is the need for States to ratify and implement existing conventions and protocols on armed conflict. Efforts should be intensified to strengthen legal frameworks and mechanisms for monitoring and reporting attacks against civilians by State and non-State actors alike.

In that respect, we firmly support the recommendation that the Council should avoid a selective approach to the protection of civilians in armed conflict. All cases requiring protection should be given equal emphasis, whether in Southern Sudan, Darfur, Somalia, Afghanistan or Western Sahara.

At the international level, we commend the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the Department of Field Support and the Department of Peacekeeping Operations for keeping the Security Council sharply focused on this issue.

As a major troop-contributing country, Nigeria is aware of the acute resource constraints that United Nations peacekeepers face in the field daily. Such constraints limit their ability to effectively protect civilians, guarantee safe passage for IDPs, facilitate the movement of humanitarian actors and, crucially, establish assessment and early-warning mechanisms to prevent a crisis.

We commend the Council's efforts to provide greater assistance to populations at risk. These efforts are strengthened by the mandate of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict and on Sexual Violence in Conflict. The effective implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) will undoubtedly help us to provide better protection for women.

The best way to protect civilians in armed conflict is to prevent conflicts from erupting and to find lasting solutions to those that exist. In many situations, it is important that the parties involved demonstrate the political will and resolve necessary to finding lasting compromise solutions to end the suffering of affected populations.

Refugees are the very first to suffer from the eruption or continuation of conflicts. Host States have the obligation to ensure that they fully enjoy their rights, including the right of return. In protecting refugees, it is vital that the humanitarian and civilian nature of refugee camps not be compromised by the presence of armed elements and that refugees be able to exercise their right of voluntary return in security and dignity.

Despite this progress, we are unfortunately forced to note that civilian populations continue to be the first victims of armed conflict. That reality requires all parties to armed conflict to abide by international law and refrain from any actions that cause harm to civilians.

We believe that the international instruments in the area of international humanitarian law, in particular the four Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their Additional Protocols, as well as customary international law, give us a solid basis of principles and standards designed to protect all of those who do not take part in hostilities or who have stopped participating.

The Council must implement concrete, effective and forceful actions to tackle these situations. That is crucial for those who suffer the pain of armed conflict and is a requirement for States such as Mexico that are convinced of the preponderant role that the Security Council is called on to play.