Cyprus has joined more than 100 UN member states including Greece, Italy, China, Belgium, Australia, France, Finland, Germany, Finland, Germany, Norway, Sweden, the United States, Sweden and the United Kingdom in a joint statement to the UN General Assembly on a joint declaration of support for the protection of civilians in humanitarian emergencies.
The United Kingdom, Sweden, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Sweden, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States in the joint statement agreed at the initiative of Switzerland on the protection of humanitarian and UN personnel.
The joint statement emphasised the increasing risks faced by humanitarian workers in a world plagued by over 120 armed conflicts. Ι also said that the demand for humanitarian aid has grown, paralleled by an alarming surge in violence against aid workers.
“In 2023 alone, over 500 humanitarian workers were killed, injured, detained, or kidnapped, with national staff, comprising over 90% of those affected, bearing the brunt of these incidents. The situation in 2024 has become even more dire, with Gaza and the West Bank identified as the most perilous regions for aid workers, resulting in over 150 deaths since the beginning of the year. Other high-risk areas include Sudan, Ukraine, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and South Sudan,” it noted.
These troubling developments occur during the 75th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions and the 25th anniversary of the UN Security Council’s recognition of civilian protection as part of its mandate. These milestones serve as a stark reminder and a rallying call for collective action to ensure adherence to international humanitarian law, the joint statement said.
It added that in response, the Security Council adopted Resolution 2730 six months ago «focusing on the protection of humanitarian and UN personnel, including locally recruited staff, along with their premises and assets. The speaker reiterates support for this resolution and urges its immediate implementation. Additionally, the recommendations of the UN Secretary-General are welcomed, emphasising the importance of measures to prevent and respond to violence against humanitarian workers, ensure accountability, and enhance protection mechanisms. These recommendations are seen as vital tools for converting political commitment into tangible action».
The joint statement underscored the urgency of the situation and outlines the shared commitments of the 116 member-states:
Respect and Protect Humanitarian Personnel: The states pledge to uphold their obligations under international law to ensure the safety and dignity of humanitarian and UN personnel, including national and locally recruited workers.
Facilitate Humanitarian Access: They commit to enabling full, safe, rapid, and unhindered access to all civilians in need, as mandated by international humanitarian law.
Ensure Accountability: The states call for holding accountable those who compromise the safety and security of humanitarian and UN personnel in violation of international law.
The joint statement emphasized that “civilians and those who assist them are not targets and must be respected and protected,” and that “political will must translate into concrete measures to protect those on the frontlines of humanitarian crises, as their role is essential in mitigating human suffering and upholding the principles of humanity”.
This collective declaration of intent by 116 member-states said that it demonstrates “a unified stance against violence targeting humanitarian and UN personnel, reflecting a broader commitment to the principles enshrined in international humanitarian law”. It also called for “immediate action to safeguard these workers and the civilians they serve, ensuring that those who violate their safety face justice”.
The joint statement appealed to the international community “to act decisively, ensuring that the protection of humanitarian workers becomes a priority. The reaffirmation of commitments and the urgency expressed underscore the need for global solidarity to respect and protect those who work to alleviate human suffering, even in the most dangerous conditions,” it said.
“Civilians and those who assist them are not a target”, it noted and called for action of all stakeholders to uphold their obligations and foster accountability.
Also read: Migration and humanitarian crises at Economist’s Cyprus Summit
Source: CNA/GGA/MK/2024
