First of all, I would like to express my government's high appreciation of the report of the Secretary-General and of the presentation by the Deputy Secretary-General.
The report confirms that violations of international humanitarian, refugee and human rights law jeopardize international peace and security. Concern for victims of armed conflict and efforts to assist them have therefore become a major aspect of the work of the Security Council.
Refugee flows and displacements of people are both consequences of and contributing factors to instability. Armed groups often mix with civilians and use them as human shields in violation of humanitarian law. Not only are civilians in this way deprived of the protection to which they are entitled, but their lives and livelihoods are further threatened. This tendency is alarming, both because of the human suffering it causes and for the effect it has on peace and security.
Sweden condemns all attacks against innocent civilians and against personnel of the United Nations and humanitarian organisations. In this context, my government welcomes the provisions of the Statute of the International Criminal Court, which state that attacks against humanitarian personnel constitute war crimes. This is a major step towards breaking the culture of impunity for such acts, and ensuring that the culprits are held personally responsible.
The Security Council has a responsibility, together with the Secretary-General and the UN system at large, to address the security and safety of humanitarian assistance to all those in need. The objective must be to prevent humanitarian crises by providing early and viable solutions to their root causes. Regular briefings to the Council by key humanitarian actors are important to ensure a comprehensive approach to complex humanitarian emergencies. Last week's Security Council resolution on Kosovo is a good example of a strong political response to an increasingly acute humanitarian situation.
Sweden welcomes the efforts of the Secretary-General to build closer coordination between the various responsible UN entities, inter alia through joint meetings with the Executive Committees for Humanitarian Affairs and Peace and Security, as well as the UN Development Group.
The report of the Secretary-General reviews past experience of a variety of arrangements to enhance the safety of humanitarian operations. As always, clear mandates are essential. The mutually supportive relations between the Special Representatives of the Secretary-General and the Humanitarian Co-ordinators should be further enhanced. There are also important lessons to be drawn from the UN Guards in northern Iraq and from the more recent international monitoring presence in Bosnia and in Kosovo.
We need to continue to develop mechanisms to ensure humanitarian security, without necessarily relying on military deployment. Important steps are also being taken by the humanitarian community itself to address these issues.
Many of the recommendations of the report are closely related to recommendations in the Secretary-General's Africa report. Clear links exist between the follow-up to the two reports. This is for example the case when it comes to creating an effective international mechanism for security in refugee camps.
Today's meeting is another step in the Council's efforts to strengthen its role in supporting humanitarian action. It is the second time in two years that we have a wide-ranging debate on this topic. The report should be thoroughly and promptly reviewed, taking into consideration our discussions here today. Concrete conclusions must be drawn on actions to be taken to ensure effective protection of humanitarian assistance. Concrete conclusions must also be drawn concerning the responsabilities of the Security Council in this field.
Thank you.