United Nations Security Council Resolution 1674

United Nations Security Council Resolution 1674, adopted unanimously on April 28, 2006, after reaffirming resolutions 1265 (1999) and 1296 (2000) concerning the protection of civilians in armed conflict and Resolution 1631 (2005) on co-operation between the United Nations and regional organisations, the Council stressed a comprehensive approach to the prevention of armed conflict and its recurrence.

The resolution was adopted after six months of debate among Council members. It was the first time the Security Council had recognised a set of criteria to form a basis for humanitarian intervention in situations of armed conflict.

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. 2005 World Summit Outcome Document. World Health Organization. 15 September 2005. p. 31: "138. Each individual State has the responsibility to protect its populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity. This responsibility entails the prevention of such crimes, including their incitement, through appropriate and necessary means. We accept that responsibility and will act in accordance with it. The international community should, as appropriate, encourage and help States to exercise this responsibility and should support the United Nations to establish an early warning capability.

139. The international community, through the United Nations, also has the responsibility to use appropriate diplomatic, humanitarian and other peaceful means, in accordance with Chapter VI and VIII of the Charter, to help protect populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity. In this context, we are prepared to take collective action, in a timely and decisive manner, through the Security Council, in accordance with the UN Charter, including Chapter VII, on a case by case basis and in cooperation with relevant regional organizations as appropriate, should peaceful means be inadequate and national authorities manifestly failing to protect their populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity. We stress the need for the General Assembly to continue consideration of the responsibility to protect populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity and its implications, bearing in mind the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and international law. We also intend to commit ourselves, as necessary and appropriate, to help states build capacity to protect their populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity and to assist those which are under stress before crises and conflicts break out."

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
Algeria, China and Russia had initially opposed the notion of collective responsibility, however Algeria's two-year term as a non-permanent member of the Security Council came to end on December 31, 2005 and diplomats later overcame objections from China and Russia.