NEW YORK, NEW YORK (May 23, 2019) – Today at the United Nations, Federico Borello, Executive Director of the Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC), will brief the United Nations Security Council at the Open Debate on the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict. The Open Debate, convened during Indonesia’s Presidency of the Council, is being held as the United Nations, governments, and civil society mark the twentieth anniversary of the Council placing the protection of civilians on its agenda.

Borello’s briefing to the Council will share insights from CIVIC’s work and outline concrete and practical steps that parties to armed conflict, governments, and the United Nations can take to strengthen the protection of civilians caught in conflict.

“Twenty years ago, the Security Council made a solemn commitment to protect civilians in armed conflict. There has been much progress,” said Borello. “But to the people of Syria, Yemen, Mali – and civilians caught in conflicts around the world – that commitment remains unfulfilled. I strongly urge Security Council members, the UN Secretary-General, and all governments to take prompt and concrete action to strengthen the protection of civilians.”

CIVIC is among 22 non-governmental organizations that recently issued a joint statement urging the Security Council, UN Secretary-General, and all governments to prioritize the protection of civilians in armed conflict.

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Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC) is an international nonprofit with offices around the world working to improve protection for civilians caught in conflict. CIVIC’s mission is to work with armed actors and civilians in conflict to develop and implement solutions to prevent, mitigate, and respond to civilian harm. CIVIC was established in 2003 by Marla Ruzicka, a young American activist and humanitarian who saw first-hand the impacts of conflict on civilian casualties and their surviving family members. In April 2005, Marla was tragically killed by a suicide bomber in Baghdad. She died advocating for civilian war victims and their families. Since then, CIVIC has continued her extraordinary legacy and expanded its presence around the world. Visit civiliansinconflict.org for more.

Source: Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC)

Media Contact: CIVIC Communications

comms@civiliansinconflict.org / (202)709-7537