A/69/275
made disasters, global economic crises, climate change, or as a result of armed
conflict.
55. International humanitarian law, which, inter alia, is designed to ensure that
civilians and prisoners of war have adequate food and water during armed conflicts,
also outlines preventive measures by prohibiting the deliberate starvation of
civilians as a method of warfare in situations of both international and internal
armed conflict. That prohibition is violated not only when access to food is denied,
resulting in death, but also when the population goes hungry as a result of
deprivation of food sources or supplies. In accordance with international criminal
law, violations of such protection constitute war crimes. Deliberate starvation,
whether during times of war or peace, may also constitute genocide or a crime
against humanity. Implementation is always controversial in those situations,
especially if the combat zone is limited to the territory of a single State. It should be
noted that the right to food continues to be protected by international human rights
law during times of armed conflict.
56. States are bound by treaties and customary human rights law and could be
found legally responsible in the event of the deliberate destruction of international
humanitarian aid or intentional blockage of access to food. International
humanitarian organizations and NGOs also have a responsibility to distinguish
humanitarian food aid in times of war from food aid in periods of peace and they
should follow the principles of humanity, neutrality and impartiality in this regard.
During her tenure, the Special Rapporteur intends to m onitor situations of ongoing
conflict and humanitarian crisis, particularly those where populations are
experiencing acute vulnerability with respect to food security as a result of a
humanitarian emergency or protracted conflict. Those currently experienc ing such
crises include the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, South Sudan, the Syrian
Arab Republic and Gaza, among others.
57. There is a danger that emergency situations resulting from vulnerable
livelihood systems (with their multiple underlying ca uses), such as natural disasters,
climate change, violent conflict, occupation and insecurity, could become long -term,
chronic crises. Key characteristics of such situations, which are defined by the
Committee on World Food Security as “protracted crises” include severe
malnutrition, high rates of food insecurity and vulnerable livelihood systems. The
Committee is in the process of drafting a framework for action for addressing food
insecurity and malnutrition in protracted crises. The Special Rapporteur ho pes to
contribute to the articulation of the principles for action in the framework and to
promote the final document in discussions around the world.
G.
Sustainable development goals and the right to food
58. With the Millennium Development Goals reaching their target date in 2015,
the international community is currently reflecting on the progress made to date.
The establishment of the Goals reflects the most significant collective effort ever
made at the international level to tackle extreme poverty and hunger. While
significant progress has been made over the past 14 years, much remains to be done.
As mentioned above, the international community is discussing the possible
successor framework in the form of the sustainable development goals, which ar e
currently under negotiation.
16/18
14-58889
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