Implementation

Today's debate offers another opportunity for the Council to evaluate the progress made on key issues, such as the implementation of resolution 1894 (2009), and to indicate areas where further focus is needed, including the enhancement of compliance with international humanitarian law and the strengthening of accountability for violations thereof.

The concept of the protection of civilians is founded on the universally accepted rules of humanitarian and human rights law, which are set down in a range of international legal instruments. For that reason, we believe that the Council could more effectively seek thorough compliance by all parties with the norms of international humanitarian law.

The commitment of the Organization is needed to prevent the recurrence of the horrors of the past. It is often possible to detect in a society elements that set off alarms regarding the possible emergence of situations of massive and serious violations of human rights and humanitarian law.

Parties to an armed conflict are subject to the basic obligation of international humanitarian law to protect civilians from the effects of armed conflict. Such an obligation, embodied in common article 3 to the four Geneva Conventions of 1949, also applies in the context of armed conflicts of a non-international nature, that is to say, to non-States parties to conflict.

I would like to end my statement by stressing once again that, in accordance with international humanitarian law and resolutions of this Council, any kind of attack against civilians or other protected persons in situations of armed conflict, including the obstruction of access to humanitarian assistance and the recruitment of children, is a violation of international law.

First of all, allow me to congratulate you, Mr. President, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council this month. I would also like to commend you for convening this open debate on the subject before us. The protection of civilians in armed conflicts continues to be a subject to which the international community and my country in particular attach the utmost importance.

We are of the conviction that civilian protection is not confined to preventing civilian casualties. Ending the loss of civilians requires the establishment of lasting peace and stability. The recent Joint Coordination and Monitoring Board's progress report on the Afghanistan National Development Strategy, covering the first 100 days after the Kabul Conference, rightly points out that we have achieved more success in improving security.

The protection of civilians during military operations is our shared responsibility and an international obligation. Increased coordination between international and Afghan forces during military operations and greater cooperation between the international community and the Afghan Government are necessary for ensuring the safety and security of civilian populations.

In addition to military efforts, the Afghan Government is engaged in a comprehensive outreach initiative aimed at achieving lasting peace and security. The Afghan-led peace process calls on the Taliban to lay down their arms and join the peace process and reconciliation efforts.

As a nation deeply committed to women's emancipation and empowerment, Viet Nam has always supported the full implementation of resolution 1325 (2000), and our contribution to the drafting and adoption of resolution 1889 (2009) by the Security Council in October 2009 is just one example of this.