UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday condemned attacks on civilians and aid workers caught up in conflict and called for their protection.
Guterres made the appeal on the occasion of World Humanitarian Day, which falls on Aug. 19.
"For the millions of people caught in conflict, struggling to find food, water, and safe shelter; who have been driven from their homes with little hope of return; whose schools have been bombed; and who await life-saving medical care, we cannot afford to fail," Guterres told a gathering at UN Headquarters.
The protection of civilians in conflict was difficult to implement. Even worse, more and more humanitarians became a target, and the UN flag was not respected as a symbol of impartiality in the context of those conflicts, he said.
The protection of civilians in conflict is a fundamental tenet of international humanitarian law. Yet in war zones all over the world, parties to conflict are flouting their obligations, routinely killing civilians in direct and indiscriminate attacks, and showing contempt for human life, said Guterres, who had worked with the the UN humanitarian agency UNHCR for more than 10 years.
"Every civilian has a right to safety and protection. We must all do everything we can to deliver on this right."
"We must protect humanitarian and medical missions and prioritize the protection of civilians in United Nations peace operations. And we must prevent forced displacement and respect the rights of people who have fled violence, by pursuing durable solutions for all those who have been displaced, both inside their own countries and across borders."
