United Nations Security Council Open Debate
Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflicts
Stetement delivered by H.E. Rein Tammsaar, Permanent Representative of Estonia to the UN
New York, 22 May 2024
President,
We thank Mozambique for convening today’s debate and the briefers for their presentations. Estonia aligns itself with the statement delivered by the European Union.
As we commemorate the 25th anniversary of the UN Security Council resolution 1265 and the 75th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions – the cornerstone of international humanitarian law – we regretfully continue to witness an erosion of catastrophic proportions of the exact same principles enshrined in these documents. This year’s report by the Secretary General describes an unprecedented scale of the violations against civilians across the globe, including in Yemen, Sudan, Gaza and Ukraine.
The report provides a stark reality – civilian deaths in armed conflicts have increased 72% compared to 2022. The number of women and children killed in conflicts have respectively doubled and tripled. Armed conflicts remain the major driver of global hunger, acute food insecurity and displacement of civilians.
Estonia is deeply concerned about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza and calls for continued, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access, which allows for a continued and sufficient flow of humanitarian assistance. This month, Estonia contributed 120 000 euros to UN organizations, including UNRWA, providing humanitarian aid in Gaza.
President,
Since the beginning of the year, we have seen an increase on 40% in children being killed in Ukraine according to UNICEF due to ongoing barbaric attacks by Russia on civilian infrastructure, incl. residential areas, schools and health facilities. We continue to witness Russia’s deliberate systematic attacks against the Ukrainian energy infrastructure posing a threat to millions of civilians. In this situation of almost total impunity, the deliberate mass violations of International Humanitarian Law have become a tool in Russia’s conventional warcraft.
Russia’s use of explosive weapons in populated areas, including highly destructive glide bombs and land mines, continues to be the primary cause of casualties among the civilian population in Ukraine. 30% of Ukraine’s territory is littered with mines, which makes it one of the most heavily mine-contaminated countries. This has seriously limited Ukraine’s agriculture and food production as well as trade and caused unprecedented environmental damage. This is why Estonia has provided Ukraine demining equipment and training and we continue to explore ways how to support Ukraine.
President,
The constant attacks also make it impossible for human rights defenders to access and conduct monitoring and reporting, including on conflict related sexual violence. Hence, Estonia strongly welcomes the Security Council’s increased focus on tracking development on the ground through monitoring mechanisms, including on conflict related sexual violence and on grave violations against children in armed conflict, as outlined in OCHA’s updated policy brief from April. We also draw attention to the 35 journalists killed in armed conflicts in 2023 as reported by UNESCO. This once again underlines the urgency to implement Security Council resolution 2222 on the protection of journalists.
President,
To conclude, in light of the extreme violations of fundamental international humanitarian law and international human rights law, including the increase in brutal killings and harm done to civilians globally, Estonia echoes the Secretary General’s call for all UN member states to redouble their efforts and strengthen compliance by parties to conflict with international humanitarian and human rights law as well as ensure accountability.
Let us mark the 75th year of the Geneva Conventions by making a strong recommitment to the principles of International Humanitarian Law, including the protections of civilians – it is more important than ever.
I thank you.