Statement by Melita Gabrič Deputy Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia at the UNSC Open Debate on Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflicts

Thank you, Mr. President.

Executive Director Bahous and USG Fletcher, thank you very much for your briefings.  My sincere thanks also to you ICRC president Spoljarić Egger and Ms Soeripto for your important messages.

Mr. President,

the latest report of the Secretary-General once again presents a very grim picture of protection of civilians. With new record numbers of civilians affected by conflicts the trends remain alarming. Particularly in Gaza, Sudan, Ukraine and Myanmar to name but a few.

Yet again, the world is shocked about the images of hunger emerging from Gaza.

War brings immense suffering to all civilians, however, some of them are particularly vulnerable. We must emphasize the specific vulnerabilities of children, women and older persons. They continue to be particularly affected by armed conflicts.

The youngest members of our society are particularly vulnerable and at the greatest risk of death or permanent damage to mental or physical health. Everything must be done to protect them from the horrors of war. Only in this way will they one day be able to build a future resilient society.

The toll of war on women is also particularly heavy. In addition of being the backbone of their families and communities, they are under an even greater risk of being targets of sexual and gender based violence, including rape, and forced marriage. It is particularly heinous when these acts are systematic and used as a method of war.

Today, I also wish to put special emphasis on older persons. Despite globally ageing population, the severe and often overlooked impact of armed conflict on older persons warrants urgent attention. We see merit in this Council examining the specific challenges faced by older persons in armed conflicts, including older women.

Mr President,

Contemporary rules of war came into existence over 150 years ago. However, despite all the sad lessons throughout history and despite the clear legal commitments and obligations, parties to conflict continue to violate these rules blatantly, openly and more frequently.

Particularly disturbing is the fact that civilians are deliberately targeted in order to achieve political and military goals by causing as much civilian suffering and casualties as possible. How is this humane?

However, international humanitarian law goes beyond prohibiting targeting of civilians. It includes the question of provision of essential services for the civilian population.

It prohibits parties from attacking or destroying critical civilian objects and infrastructure as they are vital for human survival, including drinking water installations and supplies.

Yet, this continues to occur in conflicts around the globe, including in Ukraine where civilian infrastructure is deliberately targeted.

For Slovenia, one of the most pressing concerns in conflict settings is the protection of water and sanitation infrastructure.

Damage to these systems – whether intentional or incidental – has devastating long-term and far-reaching consequences for civilian populations, including on food production.

In Gaza, Sudan and elsewhere we are witnessing how the destruction of water infrastructure leads to alarming levels of thirst, dehydration, spread of diseases, disruption of healthcare services and, ultimately, to preventable deaths.

Slovenia will continue to remain committed to this issue, including through the Global Alliance to Spare Water from Armed Conflicts and as the Focal Point for Hunger and Conflict, together with Guyana, in the Security Council.

Let me also take this opportunity, Mr. President, to welcome ICRC’s “Global Initiative to galvanize political commitment to international humanitarian law” which responds to persistent and widespread disregard for the international humanitarian law. 

Mr President,

Secretary General has called for a more comprehensive approach to protection of civilians. We fully agree with his outline of practical terms. For Slovenia it means persistent and invoke the human rights norms and standards.

All states are responsible for ensuring compliance with international humanitarian law and international human rights law. Working towards the full protection of civilians is a collaborative endeavor. Our collective commitment must be transformed into concrete action. Civilians affected by armed conflicts depend on it.

I thank you.

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