Statement by the Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations, Ambassador Ronaldo Costa Filho, at the UNSC Open Debate on Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict - May 25th, 2022

Madam President,

I would like to thank the United States for organizing this year's debate on the protection of civilians. I would also like to thank the briefers for their informative presentations.

Brazil associates itself with the statement to be delivered by Switzerland, on behalf of the Group of Friends of the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict.

Madam President,

The evolution of the Council's treatment OF PoC is remarkable. This is attested by two important resolutions approved by this body last year alone: resolution 2573, on objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population in armed conflict, and resolution 2601, on the protection of schools and education.

Yet, strengthening the PoC architecture has not been enough to reduce the heavy civilian toll of armed conflicts. As the Secretary General's report indicates, in 2021, the UN recorded over 11 thousand civilian casualties across 12 armed conflicts. The current challenges are well known: the use of explosive weapons in urban and other densely populated areas; attacks against civilian infrastructure, schools and medical facilities; hostilities against medical and humanitarian personnel; conflict-related sexual violence; and increased vulnerabilities faced by women, children, refugees, IDPs, and persons with disabilities. Moreover, the vicious cycle of armed conflict and hunger continues to pose challenges to the most vulnerable.

Conflicts not only disrupt food production, but also cut off trade and distribution. It is no coincidence that the majority of chronically undernourished people live in countries affected by conflict. The imposition of unilateral economic measures in conflict situations further distorts supply chains and food markets. According to the SG's report, in 2021, around 140 million people faced acute food insecurity where conflict and insecurity played a major role in driving hunger, up from 99 million in 2020. Such a situation should serve as a reminder of the human devastation that any armed conflict can cause, and a call to strengthen efforts to prevent and cease them.

Madam President,

I would like to highlight three points while addressing the guiding questions outlined in the concept note of this open debate.

First, peacekeeping operations continue to play a key role in promoting PoC strategies, as more than 95% of UN peacekeepers are mandated to protect civilians. It is thus important to explore how best UN peacekeepers can contribute to PoC strategies. In this context, UN peacekeepers should scale up the use of strategic communications, which can foster local dialogue and engagement, as well as create a protective environment. Strategic communications can contribute to PoC objectives in several ways, such as dissuading retaliatory attacks; informing local communities on the measures that missions are taking; discouraging local populations from joining armed groups; clarifying misinformation, as well as the missions' objectives; promoting social cohesion; and countering narratives that exacerbate violence.

Second, all parties to armed conflicts should facilitate safe and unimpeded passage for relief actions which are humanitarian and impartial in character and conducted without any adverse distinction, in line with international humanitarian law. It is worrisome that some parties to conflicts have been imposing bureaucratic measures to hinder humanitarian operations, as outlined in the SG's report. Another challenge relates to the reports of unintended consequences of UN sanctions to humanitarian assistance. Brazil encourages the Council to continue its work to adjust the sanctions framework, so that they effectively minimize the suffering of the civilian population. The humanitarian carve-outs in Somalia’s and Afghanistan’s sanctions regimes are good examples that could be replicated to other situations. Humanitarian actors should not be impeded from performing humanitarian and impartial relief actions due to overcompliance or the possibility of criminalization of their activities.

Third, international humanitarian law already provides a solid framework to protect civilians, as provided by the 1949 Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols. It is thus clear that the problem is not the absence of norms, but the lack of implementation and respect for them. The Security Council should call for respect and adherence to international humanitarian law in a consistent manner. Any violation must be subjected to impartial and non-selective mechanisms of accountability, including through relevant international criminal law instruments.

In conclusion, let me once again reiterate Brazil's commitment to the protection of civilians' agenda, in line with the principles and purposes of the Charter of this Organization.

I thank you.