Statement by H.E. Mr. Paruyr Hovhannisyan, Permanent Representative of Armenia to the UN, at the Security Council Open Debate “Protecting civilians in armed conflict”
Mr. President,
The Delegation of the Republic of Armenia welcomes the convening of this UN Security Council Open Debate under the Presidency of Greece. The presence and intervention of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. George Gerapetritis underscores the urgency and importance of this issue. We thank the distinguished briefers for their insightful remarks.
The Republic of Armenia attaches great importance to the promotion of justice and rule of law in international relations. In this vein, it is crucial to ensure full and unconditional compliance with the UN Charter, the 1949 Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols.
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Regrettably, armed conflicts are marked with increased targeting of civilian populations and critical infrastructure, enforced disappearances, abductions, maiming and killing of women, the elderly and other vulnerable groups, as well as the use of starvation as a method of warfare. The conflicts also have a particularly heavy toll on the mental health of children, especially those who are forcibly displaced. Among the emerging challenges are state-orchestrated disinformation and misinformation campaigns using new technologies, to justify the use of force. Incitement to hate and xenophobia based on ethnicity and religion creates a sense of impunity and breeding ground for gross violations of human rights and international humanitarian law.
The inhuman and degrading treatment of prisoners of war and civilians, including in our region remains a pressing concern. Reports of persecution, ill-treatment, arbitrary detention and sham trials of POWs, conducted with serious procedural violations constitute blatant violation of international humanitarian and human rights law. The denial of international humanitarian access, including for the ICRC, the reduction of international presence and suppression of voices of free media and independent civil society further complicate efforts to address the protection needs of the affected populations.
Mr. President,
The Government of Armenia in cooperation with the UN, other international and regional organizations, member states and development partners has undertaken significant steps to respond to the life-saving and early recovery needs of refugees forcibly displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh. Important measures in this regard have been ensuring their social protection and access to healthcare with focus on the most vulnerable. Partnership with UNESCO, UNICEF and other international organizations and partner states have been key in promoting the psycho-social rehabilitation of refugee children and their inclusion in education. Currently, the Government has embarked on addressing the long-term socio-economic needs of the refugees, including housing and employment.
Mr. President,
Against the backdrop of the challenges outlined, we underscore the urgent need for collective action of the international community to advance full implementation of the international humanitarian law without any political preconditions.
Reports by humanitarian workers, independent media, and reputable human rights organizations play an important role in helping the UN system identify early warning signs of potential risks that, if left unaddressed, can affect civilians and lead to violations of their fundamental human rights. Denial of international humanitarian access, harassment and misinformation campaigns targeting humanitarian workers, media professionals and civil society organizations should be seen as indicators of potential risks of violence and escalation.
The UN Peacebuilding architecture needs to apply a UN system-wide approach to the protection of civilians by reviewing reports and communications from UN bodies and mandates responsible for monitoring human rights and humanitarian situations, conducting thorough analysis and bringing to the attention of the Security Council situations, which may pose threat to the maintenance of international peace and security.
I thank you.
Permanent Mission of Armenia to the United Nations