Noting Civilians Have Suffered Deadly Effects of Armed Conflict for Too Long, Secretary-General Tells Security Council We Must ‘Promise to Protect Them’ – Afghanistan

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Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks to the Security Council’s open debate on “Protection of civilians in armed conflict”, in New York today:

I thank the Government of Switzerland for convening this important debate. And [International Committee of the Red Cross] President [Mirjana] Spoljaric [Egger] for joining us.

Less than six weeks have passed since war erupted in Sudan. In that time: Hundreds of civilians have been killed — including members of the United Nations family; 250,000 people have fled the country; hospitals have been occupied . . .