Statement by H.E. Mr. Mher Margaryan, Permanent Representative of Armenia at the UN Security Council Open Debate on “Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict”

23 May, 2019

Statement by H.E. Mr. Mher MARGARYAN
Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Armenia

At the UN Security Council Open Debate on “Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict”

23 May 2019

Mr. President,

We would like to thank the Indonesian Presidency of the Security Council for the choice of the theme of today’s open debate. We thank the Secretary-General, the President of ICRC and the Executive Director of Centre for Civilians in Conflict for their briefings earlier today.

This meeting provides an important opportunity to reflect on the ways, in which the global efforts for the protection of civilians have evolved over the past 20 years. We recognize the considerable progress achieved within the Organization and the efforts of the Security Council in strengthening the normative framework of the protection agenda. At the same time, we are concerned about the persisting challenges highlighted in the Secretary-General’s report on the protection of civilians in armed conflict.

Supporting impartiality and independence in humanitarian action and providing safe, timely and unimpeded humanitarian access is crucial to prevent and alleviate sufferings of the civilians caught in conflict. Attempts to politicize humanitarian access and refusals to cooperate at the level of relevant authorities demonstrate intention to deliberately impede efforts to protect and assist those in need. We strongly condemn violations of the international humanitarian law and international human rights law, including attacks on humanitarian and medical personnel, as well as violence, threats and intimidation against journalists and media workers.

Mr. President,

Armenia has been consistent in advancing the prevention and protection agendas, including through our involvement in UN and UN-mandated peace and stability operations, namely, the UNIFIL and MINUSMA. We have also shown consistent commitment to help alleviate the sufferings of the populations in areas affected by crisis as reflected through our national humanitarian mission in Syria, in response to the request of the Syrian authorities and the Armenian community. Currently, demining specialists from Armenia operate in the southern communities of Aleppo and our medical team provides assistance in four hospitals, as well as in a medical facility under the Armenian Relief Cross in Aleppo.

Promoting the norms of international humanitarian law and raising awareness in this regard is an important element in Armenia’s security sector governance. International humanitarian law is incorporated in the curricula of Armenia’s military educational institutions. We also highly appreciate the cooperation with the ICRC in implementation of training projects and reaching out to the people affected by conflicts, who are in need of humanitarian assistance. Armenia’s commitment to promoting the importance of safety of children and students in armed conflict is reflected in its endorsement of the Safe School Declaration.

Mr. President,

We fully recognize the importance of empowerment of women and how it is linked and intertwined with sustainable peace and development efforts, on different levels. An important example of women’s participation in the peace building efforts is the Women for Peace initiative led by the spouse of the Prime Minister of Armenia, as an inclusive platform for women and mothers to promote peace and reconciliation in our region and beyond. Armenia is fully committed to the promotion of gender-sensitive policies, and has recently adopted a National Action Plan for the implementation of UNSCR1325 which prioritizes enhancement of training and career development possibilities for women with the view to increasing their participation in peace-building activities.

Mr. President,

The civilian population of Nagorno Karabakh and the bordering regions of Armenia have been consistently exposed to serious humanitarian risks. The aggression of Azerbaijan against Nagorno Karabakh in April 2016 was accompanied with grave violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law, including barbaric acts commensurate to war crimes and crimes against humanity, such as beheadings, mutilations and other atrocity crimes. Attacks and indiscriminate shelling, including of a school building, inflicted losses amongst the civilian population, including children and elderly. The international community should resolutely condemn any pursuit of a military solution to conflict situations.

We reject any alternative to a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The 1994/95 cease-fire agreements, signed by Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan, and Armenia constitute the foundation of the cessation of hostilities. Armenia urges Azerbaijan to undertake genuine steps in order to create conditions conducive to the advancement of the peace process. Azerbaijan should bring to an end the persistent war mongering and cultivation of hatred and intolerance against Armenians and instead invest real efforts in promoting a culture of peace, as well as respect for human rights.

Effective utilization of the capacity of the regional dimension in the prevention and resolution of conflict has an utmost importance. Armenia welcomes the support of the international community, of the United Nations and of the Secretary General rendered to the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairmanship in the peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Mr. President,

Protection of civilians in armed conflicts is closely linked to the prevention of mass atrocities, including the crime of genocide. In order to be effective in our determination to protect, primary role should be attached to early action on warning signs of deteriorating situations, which can potentially result in conflicts, atrocities and human suffering. As it is known, crises, atrocities and genocides do not occur overnight, they are detectable and predictable. Denial of past crimes, impunity, discrimination and prevalence of hate speech are amongst the precipitating factors leading to massive crimes and conflict and represent explicit and detectable early warning signs. We are of the view that the Office of the Special Advisers on the Prevention of Genocide and the Responsibility to Protect has a prominent function in detecting such risks. The UN system should do more to engage affected populations, including women and girls, and support those who amplify their voices.

I thank you.

MFA RA
official website

Dual citizenship

Electronic visa

Visa applications