Civilians are not a target
In today's world, the most troublesome problem to deal with for the world community is the conflict of interests among different states. This conflict of interests gives birth to extremism and around the world, the same exacts a massive toll on people’s lives.
Trapped in wars that are not of their making, millions of civilians are forced to hide or run for their lives. Children are taken out of school, families are displaced from their homes, and communities are torn apart. At the same time, health and aid workers – who risk their lives to care for people affected by violence – are increasingly being targeted. The rest of the world stands still in despair of not being able to do anything for their sake.
On 19 August 2003, a terririst attack hit the United Nations headquarters in Baghdad, , killing 22 people. Among those who lost their lives was Sergio Viera de Mello, the UN’s top representative in Iraq.The attack devastated the Canal Hotel, which served as a base for some 300 international UN personnel in Baghdad out of the 646 in Iraq altogether.
Five years later, the General Assembly adopted a resolution designating 19 August as World Humanitarian Day (WHD). Every year since then, the humanitarian community has organized global campaigns to commemorate WHD, advocating for the safety and security of humanitarian aid workers, and for the survival, well-being and dignity of people affected by crises. The aim is to pay tribute to aid workers who risk their lives in humanitarian service, and to rally support for people affected by crises around the world.
This year, humanitarian partners are coming together to reaffirm that civilians caught in conflict are #NotATarget, this being the campaign theme this year. Through a global online campaign featuiring an innovayive partnership with facebook Live along with events held around the world, everyone can raise voice to advocate for those most vulnerable in war zones, and demand that world leaders do everything in their power to protect civilians in conflict.
This campaign follows on the UN secretary-general's report on protection of civilians, which was launched earlier this year. Laying out his ‘path to protection’, the Secretary-General called for enhanced respect for international humanitarian and human rights law, and protection of civilians, including humanitarian and medical workers as well as civilians infrastructure.
Anyone can sign the petition at worldhumanitarianday.org to reaffirm that civilians caught in conflict are #NotATarget.
Compiled by Law Desk (Source: un.org)
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