Statement by Ambassador Trishala Persaud, Chargé d'affaires, Permanent Mission of Guyana to the United Nations, at the Security Council Briefing on 'Protection of civilians in armed conflict: Resolution 2730'

Thank you, Mr. President,

At the outset, I congratulate you on France’s assumption of the Presidency and commend Denmark for a successful Presidency in the month of March.

I thank ASG Msuya and USG Michaud for the briefings and reiterate Guyana’s gratitude to you and your teams for your dedication and for the work you do to alleviate human suffering worldwide.

We have also listened carefully to the statement by Mr. Nic Lee.

Mr. President,

The adoption of Resolution 2730, last May, was a firm acknowledgement by the Security Council of the indispensable role of humanitarian personnel. Its adoption represented our collective commitment to their safety and security as they risk their lives each day to provide humanitarian aid and support to those in need.

The resolution also reiterated the need to ensure respect for international humanitarian law including commitments universally made in the 1949 Geneva Conventions and additional Protocols thereto.

Guyana remains deeply concerned about increased attacks against humanitarian workers and UN personnel, including national and locally recruited staff, and their premises and assets. Even as they dedicate their lives to alleviate human suffering, we are increasingly seeing humanitarians facing greater risks, becoming targets of attacks, suffering bodily harm and even death.

2024 was reported as the deadliest year on record for humanitarian aid workers. As we heard from ASG Msuya, 377 humanitarians were killed in 20 countries. Moreover, since October 2023, over 400 aid workers have been killed in Gaza alone. This horrific figure represents the highest number of aid workers who have died in a single conflict. We are deeply concerned that Gaza is now the epicenter for the deaths of humanitarian workers. We demand that the parties to the conflict uphold their legal obligations to protect UN and humanitarian aid workers and grant them unimpeded access to those in need.

Guyana pays tribute to those humanitarian personnel who lost their lives in service and expresses condolences to their families and colleagues.

Mr. President,

Addressing this issue requires a multifaceted, coordinated and robust international response.

Allow me to make a few points in this regard:

First, accountability is a key pillar to the protection of civilians and central to the provisions of Resolution 2730. The killing of and attacks on humanitarian personnel are violations of international humanitarian law and require robust response from the Security Council. It is imperative that the perpetrators of these attacks be held to account. Ensuring the independent and impartial investigation and the prosecution of these crimes are necessary steps to deter future violations.

In this regard, Guyana supports the Secretary General’s recommendation for the Council to systematically request the concerned State authorities to conduct prompt, independent, impartial and effective investigations into incidents and to report to the Security Council about progress and outcomes of these investigations, including on measures to prevent the reoccurrence of such harm, as well as for the Council to consider referrals to the International Criminal Court or other international tribunals where State authorities prove unable or unwilling to act.

Guyana also supports efforts to strengthen objective accountability mechanisms, at all levels, which can provide a pathway for justice and reinforce the rule of law.

Secondly, Resolution 2730 underscores the critical importance of unhindered access of humanitarian personnel in the execution of their mandates, without intimidation, interference, or violence. The deliberate obstruction of the delivery of the humanitarian aid to conflict zones, coupled with bureaucratic barriers, is not only a violation of International Humanitarian Law, but also hinders the important work of humanitarian personnel, and exacerbates the suffering of the civilian populations.

Guyana reiterates its call to all parties to conflicts to comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law and ensure safe, timely and unhindered access to humanitarian aid.

Mr. President,

Pursuant to resolution 2730, the Secretary-General has put forward several recommendations on measures to prevent and respond to attacks against humanitarian and UN personnel, and their premises and assets, adding to the roadmap to ensure that those on the frontlines of humanitarian crises are protected from harm.

Guyana urges all Council members to engage in constructive dialogue on these recommendations and to ensure the full implementation of resolution 2730. We must take urgent and decisive action if we are to stem the current devastating trajectory and guarantee the safety and protection of UN and humanitarian personnel.

I thank you.