My Government has long believed that the safeguarding of civilians from the devastating effects of armed conflict is at the very heart of the United Nations Charter.

My Government has long believed that the safeguarding of civilians from the devastating effects of armed conflict is at the very heart of the United Nations Charter.

Undoubtedly all efforts to safeguard the protection of civilians are important, but I wish to refer to some areas which Spain views as a priority in that regard.

That will permit the identification of reliable local interlocutors to ensure security for humanitarian personnel and operations and an environment that safeguards the protection of civilians.

The challenge we face is twofold: preventing conflict through the peaceful resolution of disputes and safeguarding the interests of civilians in armed conflict.

The need to ensure adequate security and policing measures was also recognized as a key factor to safeguard the civilian character of asylum.

It is crucial that Member States respond to security threats in a manner that safeguards the rights of civilians and is in accordance with principles of international humanitarian law and human rights law.

Despite the principles and provisions that represent legal safeguards for the protection of civilians in armed conflict, such conflicts are still claiming the lives of innocent civilians, whose fundamental rights and freedoms are being violated.

These considerations inspire us, a founding Member of the Organization, to speak before the Council and, with our message, to raise awareness of the urgent need to protect and safeguard the lives of civilians and of the humanitarian personnel who strive to alleviate the suffering caused by war.

In respect of peacekeeping operations, the functions of the Office are: to monitor and assess the situation at those duty stations where there is a peacekeeping mission; to coordinate and plan security/safety for civilian staff at peacekeeping missions; to collect and analyse security information with a view to forecasting areas where security might be a problem; to make recommendations to the United Nations Security Coordinator regarding policies and procedures related to security of civilian staff of peacekeeping missions; to undertake security assessment missions to the field to evaluate security measures for the safeguarding of civilian personnel of peacekeeping missions and to make appropriate recommendations and arrangements thereof; to travel, as required, to peacekeeping mission areas to provide emergency on-the-spot crisis management assistance; to undertake pre-deployment briefings and training for civilian staff of peacekeeping missions; to undertake briefings and the security training of security officers assigned to peacekeeping missions; and to coordinate on a daily basis with the relevant offices in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations.