UNSC Open Debate

Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflicts (25 May 2022; 1000 hrs)

Statement by Ambassador T.S. Tirumurti

Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations

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Madame President,

At the outset, let me thank you for convening this annual Open Debate today on the important theme of Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflicts. I would like to thank Mr. Ramesh Rajasingham, Director of Coordination, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, ICRC Director General Mr. Robert Mardini, International Rescue Committee President and CEO Mr. David Miliband, and Women for Women International Country Director in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Ms. Rachel Boketa for their remarks.

Madame President,

2.    We have witnessed resurgence in armed conflicts around the globe. These have further compounded effects of pressing challenges like the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic as well as climate change and food security, driving millions towards a dire humanitarian situation.   

3.    The humanitarian consequences of armed conflicts are severe. We are witnessing the debilitating effect that conflicts can have in gaining access to humanitarian aid, be it in Afghanistan, Yemen, Mali, Sudan, or Ukraine. The report of the Secretary General paints a distressing picture of civilian suffering: over 11,000 civilian casualties in various conflicts in 2021, with over 45% of these being in Afghanistan; 140 million people reeling under conflict-induced hunger; 84 million being forcibly displaced, with women and children forming the large majority of internally displaced persons.

4.    It is a matter of concern that the parties to the armed conflicts seem to consider civilian population and civilian infrastructure as legitimate targets. Vulnerable groups, including women, children, and minorities, as well as indispensable civilian infrastructure, hospitals and irreplaceable cultural heritage have been among the first casualties of attacks in recent armed conflicts. 

5.    The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has resulted in loss of lives and countless miseries for its peoples, particularly for women, children, and elderly, with millions becoming homeless and forced to take shelter in neighboring countries. Since the commencement of the conflict in Ukraine, India has been consistently calling for immediate cessation of hostilities and end to violence. We have emphasized the need to pursue the path of dialogue and diplomacy as the only way out.  

Madame President,

6.    The primary responsibility of ensuring the safety and security of populations, including the maintenance of essential services, rests with national Governments. However, we have in place international principles and jurisprudence which vests no less responsibility on parties to the conflict to ensure that civilians and civilian infrastructure are not targeted in situations of armed conflicts.

7.    Civilians in conflict-affected areas need safe, unhindered, and rapid access to basic services, often provided by humanitarian workers. We note with concern the spike in attacks on humanitarian teams and increasing obstacles faced by them to respond to conflict-ravaged communities. 

8.    As we have been reiterating in this Council, all humanitarian aid and assistance must be primarily guided by the universal principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence. These measures must not be politicized. 

Madame President,

9.    Terrorism today is the greatest threat faced by humankind that exacerbates social tensions, pushing societies towards instability and violence.  Therefore, any debate on protection of civilians would be incomplete without taking into account the carnage wrought by terrorist forces, particularly those which are backed by State actors for pursuing political objectives. Having suffered the scourge of cross border terrorism for decades in which thousands of innocent civilians have lost their lives, India has always been at the forefront of global counter-terrorism efforts. 

10.    The international community should stand firm on its opposition to terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and reject any attempt to provide any justifications for terrorist acts. We should remember that the consequences of any relaxation of our guard on this count would be borne not only by civilians but even by our security forces who take them on in extremely difficult conditions in urban areas.

Madame President,

11.    I would like to urge the Council to focus on another key issue – the increasing challenges faced by peacekeepers in UN Missions around the world in executing their “Protection of Civilians or the PoC mandate”. PoC is primarily the responsibility of the host governments, and this has been an established operating principle in the UN peacekeeping architecture. The role of UN peacekeeping operations is to supplement the national efforts to advance peace and security. Peacekeepers cannot and should not be a substitute for the primary responsibility of protecting the civilians mandate, which primarily lies with the host government. 

12.    In cumulative terms, India has contributed the highest number of troops to peacekeeping operations. Our troops and police personnel have been at the forefront of translating this Council’s word into action, on the ground across several peacekeeping missions. They have been protecting civilians much before this term came into common usage in this Council.  Our contribution continues today in 09 out of the 12 ongoing UN Peacekeeping Missions. We have provided a cutting edge to many United Nations operations where civilians were under threat. India, thus, brings to this table, Madame President, a certain quantum, and quality of experience in protecting civilians in peacekeeping missions that is unique in its relevance and in its variety and depth.

13.    We need to ensure that the UN peacekeepers are adequately equipped and well-trained to take up the tasks of protection of civilians, especially by leveraging cutting edge technologies. Moreover, with the increasing multidimensional nature of peacekeeping missions, there is a risk of diluting the focus on their PoC mandate. We need to simplify peacekeeping mandates. Peacebuilding activities such as promotion of human rights, disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR), and electoral assistance need to be suitably separated from peacekeeping missions and we should resist the temptation from adding even more to peacekeeping mandate. Otherwise, we may only see civilian and peacekeeping causalities increase, which we must avoid at all costs.

Finally, Madame President,

14.    While it is important to deliberate on the devastating consequences of armed conflicts on civilians, we should not ignore fundamental issues and international power politics that contribute to the accentuation of armed conflicts. Today, we need to reaffirm our commitment to the principles of non-interference in the internal affairs of States. We should also reaffirm that the contemporary global order has been built on the UN Charter, international law and respect for sovereignty and the territorial integrity of states.

I thank you.

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