May 2025 – One year after the UN Secretary-General outlined the “resoundingly grim” state of civilian protection, the situation continues to deteriorate. 21 NGOs call for urgent action by the UN Security Council and UN Member States to strengthen accountability and ensure robust implementation of protection mandates.
Civilians living in conflict zones today are in more danger than ever before. The UN recorded a 72% increase in civilian deaths in armed conflict between 2022 and 2023, with the proportion of women and children killed doubling and tripling respectively. Over 473 million children — more than 1 in 6 globally — now live in areas affected by conflict1. In 2023, UN verified cases of conflict-related sexual violence, the majority against women and girls, increased by 50 per cent compared with 2022. Intersecting and multidimensional vulnerabilities are also compounded for marginalised groups. Those who survive are often injured, displaced, and frequently cut off from their communities and support networks. As a result they can become reliant on humanitarian aid for services such as healthcare, water, electricity, and education for years or even decades.
In a joint statement, Watchlist and 20 organizations urge the UN Security Council to 1) suspend use of the veto; 2) enhance monitoring and versification mechanisms; 3) monitor the implementation for UNSC 2730 (2024) on the protection of humanitarian personnel; 4) strengthen the implementation of POC-related resolutions; and 5) support the prioritisation of protection mandates.
The 21 organizations further urge UN Member States to 1) enhance investigation and prosecution in national courts; 2) develop and strengthen national POC strategies; 3) ensure proper transparency, oversight and accountability for arms transfers; 4) review, strengthen, and ensure transparency and effective oversight of national laws, practices, and military action and training systems; 5) provide support for local initiatives; and 6) ensure the need to prevent and mitigate civilian harm is prioritised as new tools emerge.
The statement has been released ahead of the Security Council Open Debate on the Protection of Civilians, which will be held on May 22, 2025.
Read the joint statement here.
