Madame President,

We thank you for convening this annual open debate on the protection of civilians in armed conflict.

It is indeed a sorry reflection of the global protection crisis that we must continue to speak on this most basic tenet of international law.

Today, a hundred million people are on the move, forcibly displaced from their homes.

Innocent civilians fleeing persecution and conflict.

We have seen mass graves in Tarhuna, Libya.

Starvation used as a weapon of war in Yemen.

Violence perpetrated by security forces since the coup in Myanmar.

The war in Ukraine has resulted in one of the most stark humanitarian crises of our time.

Attacks on Ukrainian civilians have resulted in the disruption of agricultural and food supply chains. Showing the world that an attack against one civilian, is an attack against all of humanity.

And of course, the war in Syria rages on.

Just last month, footage from 2013 detailed evidence of horrific crimes committed against civilians in the Tadamon neighborhood of Damascus.

In Idlib, civilians and civilian infrastructure are routinely targeted by the regime and its backers.

In Atarib, a hospital was attacked - killing civilians and cutting off vital healthcare services to the community.

The attack on the Arshani pumping station interrupted access to water for a quarter of a million civilians.

The regime deliberately deprives people in the Al Bab region of potable water and water for agriculture.

Also, we wish to remind this Council, once again, of the atrocities committed by the terrorist organization, PKK/YPG and its off-shoot the so-called ‘Syrian Democratic Forces’, for it bears repeating.

They attacked Al Shifa Hospital in Afrin.

They continue to abduct and forcibly recruit children in Syria.

They release DAESH detainees for their own financial gain.

They indiscriminately attack civilian areas using mortar shelling, rocket launchers, and car bombs.

They prevent civilians - including Kurds and Yazidis - from returning home.

They have even cut the electrical power of Derbesiyah, disrupting Alouk water station.

Those who support terrorist organizations, including in Syria, must cease their association with immediate effect.

Madame President,

It is clear that the status quo will not suffice. We need a renewed, principled approach to protect civilians in conflict.

The international community, and this Council, must step up.

Unhindered humanitarian access is a core element of protecting civilians in conflict. And an essential element of maintaining international peace and stability.

In this framework we renew our call for the extension of mandate for UN’s cross border humanitarian operations to Syria.

Madame President

We hope that by the time of the next year’s open debate on the protection of civilians, some of the 100 million people who have been forcibly displaced, will have returned home.

Will have re-started their lives, and will be safe.

We also hope that the perpetrators of the attacks against civilians will have been brought to justice, held accountable for their actions.

Thank you.