The heads of the UN and the Red Cross have made what they called an “unprecedented joint warning” on Saturday for states to stop conflicts, respect international law and aid refugees.
“In the face of blatant inhumanity, the world has responded with disturbing paralysis,” they said in a statement. “This flouts the very raison d’être of the United Nations.”
Ban Ki-moon, the UN secretary general, and Peter Maurer, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross urge an end to the use of heavy explosive weapons in densely populated urban areas, which overwhelmingly kill civilians.
“Just yesterday, dozens of people were reportedly killed and many more were wounded when Syrian government forces fired missiles into a marketplace in Douma. Airstrikes have increased on besieged populated areas,” the statement said.
“These violations have become so routine there is a risk people will think that the deliberate bombing of civilians, the targeting of humanitarian and healthcare workers, and attacks on schools, hospitals and places of worship are an inevitable result of conflict,” it added.
“We call on the international community to give greater support to displaced people and refugees. Both our organizations are taking urgent steps to address these issues. Protecting civilians in conflict will also be one of the main themes of the World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul next May.”
The statement urges Member States to show “far more commitment and engagement to maintain peace and security. Without that, we can expect only greater chaos and suffering.”
“Enough is enough. Even war has rules; it is time to enforce them,” the statement concluded. (Source: Syrian Coalition + Agencies)
