Palestinians return home after the ceasefire agreement takes effect on May 21 (Photo: Xinhua) New York (VNA) – Deputy head of Vietnam’s Mission tothe United Nations Ambassador Pham Hai Anh has reiterated the message ofcommitment to promote the compliance with international humanitarian law andprotecting civilians in conflicted areas.
Addressing the UN Security Council (UNSC)’s annual open debate heldonline on May 25, Anh expressed his concern over civilian casualties in armed conflicts, including hundreds of people killed in theIsrael-Palestine conflict in the past weeks.
The diplomat stressed that parties in the conflicts need to fully abide byinternational humanitarian law and ensure unobstructed humanitarian access. Heexpressed support for the sharing of experience in incorporating internationallegal obligations into domestic legal regulations and laws.
Having affirmed that countries hold the top responsibility for protectingcivilians, he emphasised that the most effective and long-term solution ispreventing and ending conflicts, maintaining sustainable peace, improving people's livelihoodsand resilience to challenges caused by climate change and epidemics.
When Vietnam assumed the Presidency of the UNSC in April 2021, theUNSC agreed to adopt Resolution 2573 on protecting key infrastructure andservices and the President’s Statement on dealing with the consequences ofbombs, mines and explosives left over from the war, thus calling on the UNSC tomaintain solidarity and unity to send a strong message of promoting thecompliance with international humanitarian law, protecting civilians, andturning such commitments into reality for the sake of residents in conflicted areas, he said.
Participants said the UNSC and international community need tomake further efforts and take practical actions to reduce civilian casualties,address challenges like starvation caused by conflicts, attacks on medicalservices, sex and gender-based violence and environmental degradation.
They called for complying with humanitarian law and fullyimplementing the UNSC’s resolutions, including the Resolution 2573 adopted bythe UNSC during Vietnam’s presidency./.
