Ministry Statements & Speeches:
Protection of civilians has become an increasingly important feature of effective peacekeeping mandates, and of their successful execution.
However, that same effectiveness and success has also exposed some significant shortcomings, which New Zealand believes this Council must address.
And, to do that, we must have a frank conversation within this Council about our understanding and expectations in respect of protection of civilians. Troop contributing countries, host countries, donor countries, the Secretariat and other stakeholders, should all be brought into the conversation.
We must dig beneath what might appear to be a successful surface, and talk about the impediments to the implementation of protection mandates, which will then enable us to explore constructive solutions.
Mr President –
Today’s debate is focused on the protection challenges and needs of women and girls.
But, while women and girls must be protected, they can't be viewed solely as in need of protection – women and girls are, themselves, also important agents for achieving protection of civilians.
It's widely acknowledged that women have an important role to play as leaders and decision-makers in the prevention and resolution of conflict.
But, while that’s recognised, it's not something that’s consistently applied in practice.
For example, women should also be visible in roles within post-conflict accountability and transitional justice structures – something that, as well as its significant, post-conflict contribution, also helps encourage women and girls, particularly victims of sexual violence, to report offences.
But there are others whose vulnerability is often even less acknowledged.
Persons with disabilities, and older persons, often suffer most in conflict situations.
And yet, older women, and women and girls with disabilities, are given little consideration in terms of their protection needs; nor is there sufficient recognition of their ability to contribute to protection efforts, conflict settlement and peacebuilding.
Armed conflict can both lead to disability, and can disproportionately affect persons with existing disabilities.
Persons with disabilities are particularly vulnerable in conflict; they face compounded challenges because of physical, communication, and attitudinal barriers.
Sudden attacks pose particular challenges: The deaf can’t always hear when attackers approach; the blind may not know the way to safety; those with intellectual or social disabilities may not understand what is happening; all are especially vulnerable.
In many conflict situations, older persons, and persons with disabilities, are often the first to be forgotten or neglected.
They also face difficulties escaping conflict, and, with the disintegration of families and communities, can be left isolated, destitute and without support systems.
They are at greater risk of exploitation and sexual violence, especially women and girls.
And, when conflict ends, their experience and potential for peacebuilding and social reconstruction can be overlooked and dismissed.
Recognition of the special respect and protection due to the elderly, and persons with disabilities, is found in the Third and Fourth Geneva Conventions relating to the evacuation and treatment of persons deprived of their liberty.
And the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities obliges States Parties to take measures to ensure the protection and safety of persons with disabilities in situations of risk, including armed conflict, humanitarian emergencies and natural disasters.
States must honour their obligations.
Mr President –
When implementing mandates, particular attention must be given to the protection challenges and needs of older persons and persons with disabilities. Measures to better protect these groups should be considered, including:
Improved monitoring, data collection and reporting on the impact of conflict on these groups, including improved civilian harm and casualty reporting.
Inclusion of the specific needs and challenges of persons with disabilities and older persons in peacekeeper training.
Specifically addressing the situation of persons with disabilities, and older persons in protection of civilian strategies and humanitarian responses.
And the inclusion of older persons, and persons with disabilities in peacebuilding efforts.
It is only with such measures that an often neglected and highly vulnerable group of civilians can be protected from conflict.
If we address the protection challenges and needs of women and girls, and if we protect older persons and those with disabilities, we’ll have gone a long way to achieving more effective protection of civilian mandates.