Malaysia Calls For Civilian Protection In Armed Conflicts

KUALA LUMPUR, May 4 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has called for independent investigations into all alleged serious violations of international humanitarian law, particularly on the protection of civilians and civilian objects in armed conflicts. The Deputy Permanent Representative of Malaysia to the United Nations, Siti Hajjar Adnin, said member states had the obligation to cooperate with relevant international courts and tribunals in ensuring accountability for war crimes and other serious violations of international humanitarian law in accordance with their international commitments. "Malaysia strongly supports calls to ensure accountability as a crucial step in the fight against impunity on the protection of civilian and civilian objects during armed conflicts," she said at the United Nations Security Council meeting that debated a draft resolution on healthcare in armed conflict, in New York Tuesday. Her statement was faxed to Bernama here Wednesday. Giving an example of the attack against the Al-Quds Hospital in Syria which killed 57 civilians last week, Siti Hajjar said it revealed a new low on civilian protection as well as medical personnel and medical facilities. She noted that such attacks, whether premeditated or otherwise, were simply unacceptable and, at the same time, constituted two-fold atrocities against children. "They not only kill and maim children but also leave them without access to much-needed treatment including life-saving ones," she said. Thus, Siti Hajjar urged that the Security Council must persist in defending and protecting the safety of medical personnel and health facilities in situations of armed conflict, an undertaking which Malaysia was fully committed to. The Security Council unanimously adopted the resolution on protecting health care in armed conflict. -- BERNAMA