Observations In the preamble of the resolution, the members of the Council reaffirmed their commitment to the
United Nations Charter, acknowledging that
peace,
security,
international development and
human rights were the four interlinked pillars of the United Nations system. The Council regretted that civilians accounted for the majority of the victims during armed conflict, and was concerned about the impact of the illicit trade in
natural resources and
weapons on the population. The text recognised the role of regional organisations in the protection of civilians, and the role of
education in preventing abuses against civilians was emphasised. It reaffirmed that all parties to armed conflict had an obligation to protect the civilian population and to not harm the civilians.
Acts The Security Council highlighted the importance of preventing armed conflict through a comprehensive approach involving economic growth, eradication of
poverty, sustainable development, national reconciliation,
good governance,
democracy, the
rule of law, and respect for human rights. The
deliberate targeting of civilians during armed conflict was described as a "flagrant violation" of
international humanitarian law. Additionally, provisions of the 2005
World Summit Outcome Document regarding the
responsibility to protect populations from
genocide,
war crimes,
ethnic cleansing and
crimes against humanity were reaffirmed.
Torture,
sexual violence, violence against children, the recruitment of
child soldiers,
human trafficking,
forced displacement and the denial of
humanitarian aid were also condemned by the Council. The resolution continued by demanding that all parties to armed conflict adhere to the
Hague Conventions of 1899 and 1907 and the
Geneva Conventions, including
Protocols I and
II. It reaffirmed that
impunity should end and for all states to comply with their obligations in this respect, including—if they had not already done so—the ratification of international instruments relating to humanitarian, human rights and
refugee law. Furthermore, all countries had to comply with the demands of the Security Council. The Security Council called for special attention to be given to the protection of
civilians during peace processes in post-conflict situations, including an end to attacks on civilians, the provision of humanitarian assistance, creating conditions for the return of refugees and
internally displaced persons, facilitating access to education and training, re-establishing the rule of law and ending impunity. It was also important to maintain the civilian character of
refugee camps and that
United Nations peacekeeping missions had a clear
mandate to protect civilians, as well as the inclusion of
disarmament,
demobilisation and
reintegration programmes for ex-combatants. In the latter paragraphs of the resolution, the members of the Council condemned all acts of
sexual exploitation by police, military and civilian personnel working for the United Nations, and
attacks on humanitarian workers. Meanwhile, it recognised the important role of regional and
intergovernmental organisations in the protection of civilians. "Appropriate steps" would be adopted if the deliberate targeting of civilians and protected persons came to the attention of the Council. Finally, the
Secretary-General Kofi Annan was asked to report on the protection of civilians in armed conflict within 18 months. ==Adoption==