A/RES/63/138
under the Charter of the United Nations or its agreements with relevant
organizations,
Expressing its appreciation to those Governments which respect the
internationally agreed principles on the protection of humanitarian and United
Nations personnel, while expressing concern over the lack of respect for these
principles in some areas,
Urging all parties involved in armed conflicts, in compliance with
international humanitarian law, in particular their obligations under the Geneva
Conventions of 12 August 1949 2 and the obligations applicable to them under the
Additional Protocols thereto, of 8 June 1977, 3 to ensure the security and protection
of all humanitarian personnel and United Nations and associated personnel,
1F
2F
Welcoming the fact that the number of States parties to the Convention on the
Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel, 4 which entered into force on
15 January 1999, has continued to rise, the number now having reached eighty-six,
mindful of the need to promote universality of the Convention, and recalling with
appreciation the adoption of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Safety
of United Nations and Associated Personnel, 5 which expands the scope of legal
protection under the Convention,
3F
4F
Deeply concerned by the dangers and security risks faced by humanitarian
personnel and United Nations and associated personnel at the field level, as they
operate in increasingly complex contexts, as well as the continuous erosion, in many
cases, of respect for the principles and rules of international law, in particular
international humanitarian law,
Stressing the importance of fully respecting the obligations relating to the use
of vehicles and premises of humanitarian personnel and United Nations and
associated personnel as defined by relevant international instruments, as well as the
obligations relating to distinctive emblems recognized in the Geneva Conventions,
Commending the courage and commitment of those who take part in
humanitarian operations, often at great personal risk, especially locally recruited
staff,
Expressing profound regret at the deaths of and violent acts against
international and national humanitarian personnel and United Nations and
associated personnel involved in the provision of humanitarian assistance, and
strongly deploring the rising toll of casualties among such personnel in complex
humanitarian emergencies, in particular in armed conflicts and in post-conflict
situations,
Strongly condemning acts of murder and other forms of violence, rape and
sexual assault and all forms of violence committed in particular against women and
children, and intimidation, armed robbery, abduction, hostage-taking, kidnapping,
harassment and illegal arrest and detention to which those participating in
humanitarian operations are increasingly exposed, as well as attacks on
humanitarian convoys and acts of destruction and looting of property,
_______________
2
United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 75, Nos. 970–973.
Ibid., vol. 1125, Nos. 17512 and 17513.
4
Ibid., vol. 2051, No. 35457.
5
Resolution 60/42, annex.
3
2