02.04.2025 Statement by Denmark at the UNSC briefing on the Protection of UN and Humanitarian Personnel
Checked Against Delivery
Thank you, Mr. President,
Allow me also to congratulate you and the whole French team as you assume the Presidency. We wish you the best of luck and assure you of our full cooperation.
I would like to start by thanking USG Michaud, ASG Msuya, and Executive Director Lee for their very impactful briefings. At the outset Denmark wishes to pay tribute to all UN and humanitarian personnel globally. Many of whom risk their lives and work under the most challenging circumstances to bring relief to those most in need; with ‘passion’ and ‘courage’ as mentioned by USG Michaud.
Mr. President,
As has been mentioned many times this morning, 2024 was the deadliest year on record for UN and Humanitarian Personnel. From Haiti to the DRC, Yemen, Mali and Ukraine, violence, disinformation, and intimidation has led to the killing and injury of hundreds of UN and humanitarian workers.
This is evident in Gaza which, for 23 days now, has been under a complete blockade—with two million people cut off from aid, water, food, and electricity. As we have heard today, since Hamas’ terrorist attack on October 7th and the ensuing conflict, more than 400 humanitarian staff, including 288 UN staff have been killed in Gaza.
As a result, the UN is now forced to scale back its presence, putting its "stay and deliver" strategy in jeopardy.
Just last week, the Council addressed this in a private meeting on the attack on a deconflicted UN compound in Deir Al Balah. An attack which killed one UN staff member and severely injured five others.
This weekend, we have learned of the further devastating killings of over a dozen first responders, including Palestinian Red Crescent Society medical workers, while being dispatched to aid wounded civilians in Rafah.
After 5 days of negotiations, UN teams were finally permitted to access the area, only to find their remains, ambulances, fire truck and a UN vehicle crushed and partially buried. These medical workers and humanitarians should have been protected in their work.
Denmark calls on Israel to abide by international law and respect the rulings of the International Court of Justice. Israel is obliged to resume the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza and to ensure the basic needs of the civilian population are met.
But let me be clear: International law applies to all parties in the conflict. They must protect UN and humanitarian workers, and ensure the absolute inviolability and neutrality of UN premises, including by refraining from their use for military purposes.
Mr. President,
In Sudan we are also witnessing a blatant disregard for the safety of UN and humanitarian staff.
Nearly two years into this conflict, the parties continue to harass, intimidate, and target aid personnel. This creates unacceptable barriers for humanitarian operations. We remind all parties to conflict of their obligations to ensure that life-saving aid reaches those in need.
In Yemen, aid workers are being targeted by the Houthis. There, humanitarians are subject to detentions, restrictions and harassment.
And in Ukraine, since Russia’s full-scale aggression, we have seen the use of cruel, double-tap strikes deliberately targeting the rescuers arriving to assist the injured.
The killings of three ICRC-staff after shelling hit a distribution site in late 2024, underscores the great danger for humanitarians, who must not be a target.
Mr. President, against this dire backdrop, allow me to make three recommendations.
First, impunity signals tolerance. If this Council fails to hold perpetrators accountable, we send the message that these crimes are permitted. That will only deepen the violence driving these catastrophic humanitarian outcomes.
Second, we must demand effective investigations for attacks on UN and humanitarian personnel. Investigations must be independent, transparent, and credible. Without consequences for violations, we run the risk that they will simply continue unabated.
Third, states must ensure UN and humanitarian personnel are protected under national law. Counter-terrorism legislation must contain explicit exemptions for humanitarian actors. Their work must never be criminalized.
Mr. President,
In closing we recall that attacks on UN and humanitarian personnel may amount to war crimes. We must insist on the implementation of this Council’s resolutions, including Resolutions 2730.
The Protection of UN and humanitarian personnel is an inseparable precondition for the protection of civilians in conflict. We must use all tools available to us and seek accountability whenever violations occur.
History will judge us not by our words, but by our deeds.
I thank you.