Statement by Representative of Slovenia to the UN Security Council Ambassador Samuel Žbogar at the Arria-formula meeting titled “Persons with disabilities in situations of armed conflict and related humanitarian crises – Heightening visibility and eliminating discrimination”, convened by Slovenia and Guyana and co-sponsored by Poland and the United Kingdom

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, dear colleagues,

On behalf of the organizers and co-sponsors of today’s Arria-formula meeting, Guyana, Poland, United Kingdom and my own country, Slovenia, I would like to welcome you to the UN Security Council Arria-formula meeting on “Persons with disabilities in situations of armed conflict and related humanitarian crises – Heightening visibility and eliminating discrimination.”

Five years ago, the Security Council unanimously adopted the resolution 2475. It was the first Security Council resolution to address needs and vulnerabilities of persons with disabilities in armed conflict. It was a vital step towards better understanding of the impact of armed conflicts on persons with disabilities.

Colleagues,

What this resolution tries to address is not some hypothetical situation that might occur to a person with disability in humanitarian situation. It is a very real experience for persons with disabilities caught in the apocalyptic war in Gaza with its endless evacuation orders, as it is a very real situation to everyone out of thousands of persons with disabilities who have been displaced across Ukraine.

Persons with disabilities are the most harmed by and the first to be harmed in armed conflicts. Allow me to make a few points in my national capacity to contribute to our debate.

First, better understanding of how armed conflict impacts persons with disabilities allows all actors to adapt to their specific needs. They are faced with systematic challenges in accessing humanitarian services, such as proper and dignified access to water, food, and sanitation, or access to education, healthcare and support services. They might not be able to leave their homes during evacuation and might not hear, see or understand the warnings and commands. More attention should be paid to developing warnings in all the means that could be understood by people with various disabilities.

Second, persons with disabilities are not a homogenous group; disability is very diverse. Despite factors suggesting a high number of children, women and older persons with disabilities living in situations of armed conflict, they remain largely invisible and often abandoned. There is a serious lack of attention given to the barriers and unique challenges they face and inadequate consideration given to their distinct requirements.

Imagine a child that cannot hear, see or understand what they are told amid an indiscriminate attack. Imagine a child in a wheelchair or otherwise mobility impaired, stuck in a shelter, without access to food, water, sanitation, much less to education, healthcare and support services. Imagine the living hell that persons young or old with disabilities in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan and other situations of an active armed conflict live each and every day.

Parties to conflicts must adopt special and disability inclusive measures that will improve the situation and better protect persons with disabilities. Full, safe, rapid and unhindered humanitarian access to all persons in need of special assistance must be ensured. Or in a nutshell: resolution 2475 must be fully implemented.

Slovenia has been supporting the rehabilitation of the most vulnerable victims of conflicts and humanitarian disasters since 2004. This fall alone, we hosted seventy-six children from war-affected areas in need of physical or psychosocial rehabilitation: 50 from Ukraine, 16 from Armenia and 10 from Gaza. While we are grateful to be able to contribute to their recovery, we also know that their trauma will not heal easily. Only prevention, by means of peace and adherence to international humanitarian law, can truly protect groups in vulnerable situations, including children with disabilities. In the meantime, Slovenia will continue to work with partners to respond to the needs of children with disabilities in conflict situations and humanitarian disasters by providing food assistance and long-term psychosocial and health rehabilitation.

Lastly, we cannot overstate the importance of inclusion. Persons with disabilities and their representative organizations must be able to meaningfully participate in humanitarian action, conflict prevention, resolution, reconciliation, reconstruction and peacebuilding. Empowering persons with disabilities is crucial and their voices must be heard. 

Colleagues,

The protection of persons with disabilities is an essential part of comprehensive protection of all civilians affected by armed conflict. We believe no one should be left behind. We should progressively develop protection also for other groups, such as older persons. Without protection and accountability for violations there cannot be lasting peace and security.

Thank you.

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