Yesterday, the Nordic countries stood together with several UN member states to speak up for the protection of civilians in conflict.
A joint declaration on the protection of civilians in armed conflict, initiated by Greece and following coordinated diplomatic efforts, was endorsed by 80 UN member states. The declaration was presented by Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis, and below is an extract of the declaration:
“This year, civilians in armed conflicts continue to live under unthinkable conditions of constant danger, insecurity and suffering. The United Nations recorded at least 36.000 civilian deaths in 14 armed conflicts in 2024. The use of explosive weapons in populated areas caused tens of thousands of casualties across many conflicts, while landmines and explosive remnants of war continued to endanger civilians.
According to OCHA, Gaza faces the “worst humanitarian crisis” since the commencement of hostilities, following the attacks of October 7, 2023, with civilians facing starvation and being at critical risk of famine, according to the IPC, and with hundreds of aid workers having been killed since the conflict began. In Sudan, civilians bear the brunt of violence, with millions internally displaced and over half of the population facing high levels of acute food insecurity. Widespread civilian suffering was also reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mali, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan, the Syrian Arab Republic, Ukraine and elsewhere.
This cannot continue. Today, we come with one clear message: The protection of civilians is not optional. It is a legal obligation under international humanitarian law, and a moral imperative we cannot afford to neglect.
Allow humanitarian access to all civilians in need
In the face of deepening conflict and disregard for civilian life in too many regions, we call upon all parties to armed conflict to respect international humanitarian law in all circumstances, and we call upon all Member States to use their influence to ensure all parties respect for it. This is the baseline – not an aspiration, but a binding commitment, a legal obligation.
We urge parties to conflict to allow and facilitate, as required by international humanitarian law, safe, rapid and unhindered humanitarian access to all civilians in need. The instrumentalization of aid for political, military or security strategic objectives is unacceptable.
Let us recommit not only to words, but to concrete steps – toward protection, toward accountability, and ultimately, toward peace”.