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Mr. President, I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for convening this debate, and all the briefers for their important contributions and insights. Protection of civilians was one of the main priorities of Lithuania’s membership on the Council, on which we organized two debates and an Arria formula, focusing on the implementation of Protection of civilians mandates by peacekeeping operations, protection of journalists in armed conflicts, and human rights issues in peacekeeping operations. We believe that Protection of civilians should remain firmly embedded on the Council agenda.

Lithuania aligns itself with the statement made by a representative of the EU Delegation. In my national capacity, let me touch upon early warning, prevention, and accountability in relation to Protection of civilians.

With regard to early warning, more needs to be done to alert the Council to potential crises with the aim of defusing conflicts before they erupt. UN teams on the ground have an important role in sensing the early signals of potential crises and alerting the Secretariat. Positive steps have been taken by DPA in this respect, such as informal briefings to Council members. These, as well as horizon scannings in our view should remain part of the toolbox at the Council's disposal. 

Close interaction with the Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights is essential in the context of early warning, as human rights abuses and discrimination of individual groups within a society often signal bigger troubles to come. UNSG bringing specific situations to the Council's attention is another important tool, which in our view could be used more actively. The now prevalent reluctances and taboos of taking up situations before they explode in the Council's face cost too many human lives lost and destroyed. The sooner the issue is brought to attention, the better the chances for preventive action.

Stronger mediation capacity, UNSG’s good offices, early engagement with and involvement of regional and subregional organisations are key. We appreciate DPA’s mediation work and call for better and more predictable support for these efforts.

As we call on countries to ensure that women have a seat at the negotiating table, we should also make sure more female mediators are actively engaged on the ground. We therefore encourage countries to submit more female candidatures for mediation rosters. Overall, greater presence of female peacekeepers, police officers and protection advisers on the ground does matter. They have better chances to establish communication and trust with female victims, especially where customs and taboos are rigid, and provide unique insights and perspectives in adjusting mission protection mandates. In the context of the review of peace operations it would be useful to consider how best to encourage TCCs and PCCs to step up their efforts in this regard.

Mr. President,

Prevention on the ground also requires a more diverse array of physical tools in the hands of peacekeepers. In this Council force commanders have spoken repeatedly about the utility of UAVs for preventive or salvage purposes. UAVs, night vision capabilities, the use of cellular or satellite communications for early warning etc. would enable better protection and saving lives.

Finally, let me turn to the issue of accountability. The state of impunity for crimes  and attacks against civilian populations, humanitarian aid and medical workers, schools, and journalists working in conflict zones is shocking.  

In Syria, the worst humanitarian crisis of this century, barrel bombings, sieges, use of starvation as a method of war, killings, torture and chemical attacks have taken place in total impunity. According to WHO, the year 2015 in Syria was the worst ever for attacks on medical facilities, with government forces responsible for most of the attacks, including by ‘double-tap” barrel bombing. Since September last year, Russian airstrikes have compounded the damage and destruction of health facilities, medical staff and patients.

In the CAR more than 200 attacks were perpetrated in 2015 against humanitarian organizations, hindering safe access to the people in need of immediate assistance. In Yemen last year nearly a hundred hospitals were attacked by the parties to the conflict. Attacks on humanitarian and medical facilities and staff have taken a heavy toll in in Afghanistan, Libya, South Sudan and elsewhere. 

In eastern Ukraine, occupying mercenary forces created a climate of abysmal lawlessness. Over a million people were forced to flee, some 30 000 were wounded and killed.

In these and other conflicts, we cannot succeed protecting civilians when those who commit abuses, crimes and atrocities know they can get away with murder, literally. This Council has a critical role to play in bringing the perpetrators to account, by taking a strong and systematic position on ending impunity for war crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity, and gross violations of human rights. My delegation reiterates the call to restrain veto use in situations where such crimes are committed.  

Perpetrators of crimes against civilian populations, and those who attack and kill humanitarian and medical workers, journalists must know that there is no escaping justice. National and international justice mechanisms, including the International Criminal Court, have an important role to play in this regard.  

Accountability must also be assured wherever and whenever peacekeepers engage in sexual exploitation and abuse of the most vulnerable of populations. While the onus is on respective troop contributing countries to bring the perpetrators to account, the Secretariat too has an array of tools to tackle the situation, including the removal of offending troops. UNSG should continue to report to the Council on the efforts and measures taken to eradicate sexual exploitation and abuse by peacekeepers.

To conclude, Mr. President, no normative base, as perfect as it may be, will in itself protect the civilians if gaps remain between the norm and the actions on the ground. We have to use all available tools to ensure the protection of civilian population, including through the Human Rights up Front initiative. More broadly, we have to redouble our efforts in implementing Goal 16 of Agenda 2030, as the best chance at prevention we have.

I thank you.