E/2002/27 E/CN.6/2002/13 “Emphasizing that all forms of violence in areas of armed conflict committed against the civilian population, including women and children, including capturing them as hostages, seriously contravene international humanitarian law, as set out in the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949 for the protection of victims of war and the Protocols additional thereto, “Concerned that, despite the efforts of the international community, acts of hostage-taking in different forms and manifestations, inter alia, those committed by terrorists and armed groups, continue to take place and have even increased in many regions of the world, “Recognizing that hostage-taking calls for resolute, firm and concerted efforts on the part of the international community in order, in strict conformity with international human rights standards, to bring such abhorrent practices to an end, “Expressing its strong belief that the rapid and unconditional release of women and children taken hostage in areas of armed conflict will promote the implementation of the noble goals enshrined in the Beijing Declaration and the Platform for Action, “1. Reaffirms that hostage-taking, wherever and by whomsoever committed, is an illegal act aimed at the destruction of human rights and is, under any circumstances, unjustifiable, including as a means to promote and protect human rights; “2. Condemns violent acts in contravention of international humanitarian law against civilian women and children in areas of armed conflict, and calls for an effective response to such acts, including the immediate release of such women and children taken hostage, including those subsequently imprisoned, in armed conflicts; “3. Condemns also torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, as well as rape, slavery, and trafficking in women and children for the removal of organs, which are the most grave consequences of hostage-taking; “4. Strongly urges all parties to armed conflicts to respect fully the norms of international humanitarian law in armed conflict and to take all necessary measures for the protection of civilian women and children not involved in hostilities and for their immediate release; “5. Urges all parties to armed conflicts to provide safe and unimpeded access to humanitarian assistance for these women and children; “6. Requests the Secretary-General and all relevant international organizations to use their capabilities and efforts to facilitate the immediate release of civilian women and children involved in hostilities; “7. Also requests the Secretary-General to prepare, taking into account the information provided by States and relevant international organizations, a report on the implementation of the present resolution for submission to the Commission on the Status of Women at is forty-seventh session; “8. Decides to consider the question at its forty-seventh session.” 31