Presidential Statement nº S/PRST/2013/2 of the United Nations Security Council

• Year: 2013
• Issuer: Security Council of the United Nation

United Nations

S

/PRST/2013/2

Security Council

Distr.: General

12 February 2013

Original: English

13-23108 (E) 120213

*1323108*

Statement by the President of the Security Council

At the 6917th meeting of the Security Council, held on 12 February 2013, in

connection with the Council’s consideration of the item entitled “Protection of

civilians in armed conflict”, the President of the Security Council issued the

following statement on behalf of the Council:

“The Security Council reaffirms its commitment regarding the protection

of civilians in armed conflict, and to the continuing and full implementation of

all its previous relevant resolutions including 1265 (1999), 1296 (2000), 1674

(2006), 1738 (2006), 1894 (2009), as well as all of its resolutions on Women,

Peace and Security, Children and Armed Conflict and Peacekeeping, and all

relevant statements of its President.

“The Security Council reaffirms its primary responsibility under the

Charter of the United Nations for the maintenance of international peace and

security and its commitment and readiness to strive for sustainable peace in all

situations under its consideration.

“The Security Council expresses its deep concern that civilians continue

to account for the vast majority of casualties in situations of armed conflict.

“The Security Council recognises that States bear the primary

responsibility to protect civilians as well as respect and ensure the human

rights of all individuals within their territory and subject to their jurisdiction,

as provided for by relevant international law.

“The Security Council reaffirms that parties to armed conflict bear the

primary responsibility to take all feasible steps to ensure the protection of

civilians and, urges parties to armed conflict to meet civilians’ basic needs,

giving particular

attention to the specific needs of women and children,

refugees, internally displaced persons, as well as other civilians who may have

specific vulnerabilities, including persons with disabilities and older persons.

“The Security Council reiterates its demand that all parties to armed

conflict comply strictly with the obligations applicable to them under

international humanitarian, human rights and refugee law. The Council stresses

the need for parties to take all required measures to avoid civilian casualties

and to respect and protect the civilian population.