EU Statement -- UN Security Council: Open Debate on the Protection of Civilians

Mr. President,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States. The Candidate Countries North Macedonia, Montenegro*, Albania*, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina*, as well as Armenia and San Marino, align themselves with this statement.

Excellencies, Colleagues, 

The protection of [A1] civilians is an obligation for all states and parties to armed conflicts, and a cornerstone of IHL. It has been well known to us for decades, in the universally ratified Geneva Conventions, and  their Additional Protocols. 

This year’s report of the Secretary General provides further evidence that each year, we are moving away from this responsibility, as the reality for civilians in armed conflict worsens across the world, including in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Lebanon, Ukraine, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks on civilians and civilian objects are carried out by both states and non-state armed groups. Not only do these attacks ignore the fundamental principles of international humanitarian law, including distinction, precaution and proportionality, but they do so in some instances with the clear intent of causing civilian harm. We are seeing this in contexts, globally. 

Ten years after the adoption of Resolution 2286 on the protection of healthcare in armed conflict, attacks on medical facilities and patients have reached record levels, with the number of deaths caused by such attacks doubling in a single year in 2025. The indiscriminate use of explosive weapons in populated areas, including by drones, remains a leading cause of civilian harm. This has contributed to the 37,000 verified civilian deaths in this year’s report across 20 armed conflicts globally. The actual number, is likely much higher. 

As we have said in this Council before, violations of IHL have only led to increased suffering, starvation, displacement, loss of life and immense humanitarian needs. Women, older persons, persons with disabilities, and children, are particularly vulnerable to these violations, and their consequences. Unverified allegations by parties to a conflict as to why a hospital, a school, or a transportation centre lost its protection are unacceptable. 

Dear Colleagues, as the report of the Secretary General rightly states, protecting civilians requires more than expressing concern. Allow me to share three points where political resolve and action will lead to meaningful outcomes for civilians in conflict. 

There is no ambiguity about my first point: compliance with international humanitarian law is an obligation and is non-negotiable.  All States have an obligation to respect and ensure respect for IHL in all circumstances, and the responsibility to protect civilians is extended to all parties to a conflict. The EU will continue its humanitarian diplomacy efforts for IHL compliance, including with parties to armed conflicts. We welcome and extend full support to political initiatives including the Global Initiative to Galvanize Political Commitment for IHL, the Global Alliance for Sparing Water from Armed Conflicts, and the Political Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel. Later this year, the European Union and Ireland will also organise an International Conference on the Protection of Humanitarian Aid Workers in Brussels.

Second, states, regional organizations, civil society and other actors have critical roles to play in addressing protection risks and needs of civilians. We call on all those with influence over parties to armed conflicts to recall the obligation to facilitate rapid and unimpeded humanitarian assistance, and to ensure that all actions follow the humanitarian principles. The EU also recognizes that conflicts affect people unequally, placing them in different situations of vulnerability, with women and girls disproportionately impacted by persistent gender inequalities, including sexual and gender-based violence. Effective protection requires continuous and meaningful engagement with those in need of protection: civilians themselves.  In this respect, the EU calls on all actors to ensure that affected populations, including women and girls, are actively involved in the development, implementation and monitoring of protection strategies and activities.

Finally, it is incumbent upon us to ensure accountability for atrocity crimes against civilians, including humanitarian and medical personnel. The EU will continue to support independent investigations into violations of IHL, including those that may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity, as well as efforts to hold those who commit such violations accountable. Effective prosecution of international crimes also requires robust mechanisms for mutual legal assistance, evidence sharing, cross border coordination, extradition and protection of witnesses and victims, such as the Ljubljana-The Hague Convention. The EU also reaffirms its unwavering support for the international criminal justice system, particularly to the International Criminal Court, as well as its commitment to upholding the Rome Statute and preserving the ICC’s independence and integrity. 

Excellencies, Colleagues, it is in our collective interest to protect civilians, and we do not lack the tools, frameworks or collective agreements to do so, even in an era of new technologies.   Let us ensure we do not repeat ourselves next year, without meaningful progress on protection, prevention, peace, and justice. Thank you.

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    North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

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