Cuba reaffirms that eradicating conflicts is the only way to protect civilians.

New York, 23 May 2019.Cuba expressed today its concern on the protection of civilians in armed conflicts, who continue to account for the vast majority of victims in conflict situations and are targets of indiscriminate attacks and other violations, in its statement at the Security Council Open Debate on the Protection of Civilians in armed conflict.

Ambassador Ana Silvia Rodríguez Abascal, Deputy Permanent Representative and Chargé d'affaires a.i. of the Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations, emphasized that Member States must act decisively to prevent conflicts, and that it is essential to root out the causes of conflicts by supporting the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development. She added that this requires strict compliance with the Charter of the United Nations, in particular its purposes and principles as the only way to avoid conflicts, and the safest and less expensive way to protect civilians.

The Cuban diplomat called on the Security Council to fulfill its important responsibility to maintain international peace and security, by encouraging respect for international law and the peaceful settlement of disputes. This means that the organ should further refrain from supporting military adventures and from the threat or use of force in conflict resolution; she pointed out

She affirmed that the responsibility for conflict prevention and the protection of civilians during conflict situations lies with the States, whose function cannot be replaced by any actor of the international community. They, she explained, should support and complement impartially and unconditionally the efforts of national governments, at their request, with the utmost respect for their sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence.

On behalf of the island, Rodríguez Abascal strongly condemned the murder of innocent people, and the indiscriminate and disproportionate use of force against civilians, whose protection cannot be the pretext to legitimize military interventions aimed at imposing regime changes and overthrowing the political, economic and social order legitimately established.

She also reaffirmed that humanitarian assistance constitutes a critical component of the protection of civilians in armed conflicts, but it must be provided in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter, international law, international humanitarian law and United Nations General Assembly resolution 46/182, in strict compliance with its guiding principles, namely: humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence. Furthermore, humanitarian assistance should be provided in accordance with international law and the national laws of the countries concerned, as well as the consent of the receiving States.

Once again, the Cuban representative rejected the political manipulation of humanitarian assistance and the application and reinforcement of unilateral coercive economic measures, resulting in severe deprivation and human damage to the same civilians sought to be protected.

Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations