Senior UN Officials lamented the dire condition of civilians resulting from the 2023 conflicts, emphasizing civilian suffering and the widespread disregard of international humanitarian and human rights laws. Their comments came on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the1949 Geneva Conventions (GC), representing the birth of legislated protection for victims of armed conflicts.
Speaking to the ambassadors of the Security Council, UN Deputy Relief Coordinator Joyce Msuya expressed concern about the alarming increase in civilian deaths in 2023, indicating a lack of compliance with international humanitarian and human rights laws. She advocated for a more comprehensive, balanced approach to enforce compliance and ensure civilian protection, highlighting the multifaceted and enduring nature of civilian harm.
The 72% surge in civilian deaths, reaching 33,000, during armed conflict in 2023 further underscores this bleak reality. Msuya shed light on the deplorable outcomes of several military operations including those in Israel, Sudan, as well as the persistent conflicts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Myanmar, Nigeria, the Sahel, Somalia, Syria, and Ukraine.
The primary cause of civilian casualties in countries like Ukraine and Sudan was the use of explosive weapons in densely inhabited areas, despite the fact that 83 states had previously endorsed thePolitical Declaration on Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas in 2022.
Beyond direct casualties, these conflicts have also led to alarming damage to crucial infrastructures, disrupting basic services such as electricity, water, and healthcare – attacks that were already outlawed by the 1949 Geneva Convention under Articles 51 and 54.
This escalating violence isn’t limited to citizens either. 142 UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees’ staff have been victims in the Gaza violence between, highlighting the jeopardy faced even by those seeking to provide aid. For instance, an assault in Rafah claimed a UN staff member’s life, shortly after an East Jerusalem UNRWA office was shut down due to arson attacks.
Msuya concluded her remarks by stressing that while the existing framework of humanitarian law is robust, there is an urgent need to reinforce it further to protect affected civilians. Mention was made of the impact of the Political Declaration on Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas, among other initiatives. A recent UN Security Council report correspondingly called for a reevaluation of what it means to safeguard civilians in war-torn situations.