Statement by H.E. Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Permanent Representative of Guyana at the UNSC Open Debate on the Protection of civilians in armed conflict

Statement delivered by Her Excellency Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Permanent Representative of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana at the Security Council Open Debate on the Protection of civilians in armed conflict: addressing emerging threats, ensuring safety of civilians,humanitarian and UN personnel, journalists and media professionals and enhancing accountability mechanisms” - 22 May 2025

Thank you, Mr. President,

I thank Under Secretaries General Fletcher and Bahous for their comprehensive briefings and welcome the contributions of Ms. Spoljaric and Ms. Soeripto.

We also welcome the Secretary-General’s report on the protection of civilians and the recommendations contained therein.

Mr. President,

The protection of civilians must remain at the center of the international community’s efforts to achieve global peace and security. Today, the devastating consequences of armed conflicts continue to take a heavy toll on civilians worldwide, by destroying infrastructure critical to their survival; creating large-scale displacement; inducing or exacerbating food insecurity; and making them vulnerable to sexual violence, death and injury.

These dire consequences are exacerbated by climate change, and other destabilizing social and economic factors that are symptomatic of conflict zones.

The report of the Secretary-General states that in 2024, the United Nations recorded more than thirty-six thousand (36,000) civilian deaths in fourteen (14) armed conflicts. The deliberate targeting of civilians, including humanitarian personnel and media professionals, coupled with the evolving nature of warfare, necessitate a collective response, grounded in International Law and demonstrated by political will.

Over the years, there have been several Council products and other instruments which form a robust framework, to address issues relating to the protection of civilians in armed conflict. These include resolutions 1265, 2286, 2417, 2474, 2573 and 2730.

The implementation of these resolutions has, however, been mostly honored in the breach, as the lives and livelihoods of civilians continue to be disrupted with women and children bearing the brunt. The numbers are staggering.

- In Gaza, more than 53,000 Palestinians were killed by Israeli strikes between October 2023 and May 2025, the majority being women and children. Over 400 aid workers were killed in Gaza alone - the highest number in a single conflict. These atrocities are all in violation of international law.

- Since the beginning of the conflict in Sudan, two years ago, 10.5 million persons have been displaced and approximately 25 million are facing acute food insecurity.

- In Ukraine, over thirteen thousand (13,000) civilians have been killed since February 2022. OHCHR has reported a progressive rise in the civilian casualties every month of this year.

Mr. President,

I have noted but a few of the atrocities resulting from the many conflicts worldwide but the list goes on. Failure to protect civilians in armed conflict undermines the foundation of peace and security. Their full protection requires a comprehensive approach. In this regard, I highlight the following four points:

First, there must be strict adherence to International law, and more specifically international humanitarian law, that are designed to protect civilians in armed conflict. These must not be interpreted and applied subjectively and treated like an à la carte menu from which we choose at our convenience. All parties to conflict bear the primary responsibility of ensuring the protection of civilians whenever and wherever armed conflicts occur.

Second, there must be accountability. We must utilize the tools at our disposal to ensure that perpetrators who fail to protect or target civilians are held to account, as a necessary step to deter future violations.

Guyana supports the call for prompt, independent, impartial and effective investigations into violations of IHL and urges the strengthening of accountability mechanisms to deliver justice and reinforce the rule of law.

Third, the increasing use of misinformation and disinformation as a tool of war exacerbates conflict and instability. Equally devastating is when these mis and disinformation campaigns target humanitarian and peacekeeping operations, hindering the execution of their mandates and the lives of their personnel.

We, therefore, encourage the responsible use of media platforms by digital entities and urge greater public access to accurate and reliable information. We further call for the monitoring of mis- and disinformation related to United Nations and humanitarian activities, and to hold those responsible for spreading harmful content to account.

Fourth and final, Guyana is deeply concerned about increased attacks against humanitarian workers and UN personnel,. Even as they dedicate their lives to alleviating human suffering, they have become targets in places like Ukraine and Gaza, suffering bodily harm and even death. This is unacceptable. Parties to armed conflicts are obligated to respect and protect humanitarian workers and must adhere fully to these obligations.

The adoption of resolution 2730 in 2024 underscores the critical importance of unhindered access of humanitarian personnel in the execution of their mandates, without intimidation, interference, or violence. Deliberate obstruction to the delivery of humanitarian aid to conflict zones, including food and life-saving medical supplies, is not only a violation of International Humanitarian Law, but also 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 to ensure safe, timely and unhindered access to life saving humanitarian aid.

Mr. President, the robust existing legal framework for the protection of civilians is not an end in itself. It must be matched with the same level of political will for its implementation and the relevant accountability when it is ignored.

I thank you.