Statement [made on behalf of the Security Council, at the 4882nd meeting, 15 Dec. 2003, in connection with the Council's consideration of the item entitled "Protection of civilians in armed conflict"]

Reaffirms the need to keep the protection of civilians in armed conflict as an important item on the Council's agenda; also reaffirms its concern at the suffering inflicted upon, and hardships borne by, civilians during armed conflict; strongly condemns all attacks and acts of violence directed against civilians or other protected persons under international law; reaffirms the need for parties to armed conflict to take all possible measures to ensure the safety, security and freedom of movement of UN and associated personnel as well as personnel of international humanitarian organizations in accordance with applicable international law; reiterates its call to all parties to armed conflict to comply fully with the provisions of the Charter of the UN and with the rules and principles of international law; recalls the obligations of States to respect and to ensure respect for international humanitarian law, including the 4 Geneva conventions, and emphasizes the responsibility of States to end impunity and to prosecute those responsible for genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and serious violations of humanitarian law.

14 p. : table

"Annex: Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict : Aide Memoire ": p. 3-14.