Minister Simon Coveney Addresses 7th Meeting, 46th Regular Session of UNSC (Video)

by Miceál O’Hurley
Diplomat Ireland

UNITED NATIONS – Ireland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney T.D., addressed the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Tuesday, 27 April 2021.  The 7^th Meeting of the 46^th Regular Session of the UNSC was Chaired by Vietnam.  Minister Coveney spoke on the topic of the protection of objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population.

The Minister highlighted the devastating impact of attacks food and water supplies, hospitals and other objects that are protected under international law, and stressed that civilians must be protected from famine in conflict situations, “Starvation of civilians as a method of combat is prohibited. We have a clear responsibility, therefore, to protect civilian objects that act as a bulwark against famine.”

The Minister denounced attacks on medical personnel and hospitals and called on all parties to fully respect their status under International Humanitarian Law, “The indispensable nature of medical facilities, medical assets, and health care workers in times of conflict cannot be understated. Their protected status in armed conflict is unequivocally enshrined in International Humanitarian Law.”  Further, he added, “Attacks on medical infrastructure deprive the sick and the wounded, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, the old and the young, of their most fundamental dignity, and of vital care and assistance when they need it the most.”

Minister Coveney also spoke of the impact of explosive weapons in populated areas, and Ireland’s efforts to address the issue.  “Of particular relevance to today’s discussion,” said Coveney, “is the effect of explosive weapons in populated areas on critical infrastructure, such as roads, hospitals and sanitation facilities. This infrastructure is vital to meet immediate humanitarian needs and for post-conflict development. Ireland is leading negotiations in Geneva on a Political Declaration to address the humanitarian consequences arising from the use of explosive weapons in populated areas.”

Other speakers at the 7^th Meeting, 46th Session of the UNSC included:

• H.E. Ms. Ekaterina Zaharieva, Deputy Prime Minister for Judicial Reform and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria
• H.E. Mr. Demeke Mekonnen Hassen, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia
• H.E. Mr. Titus Songiso Mvalo, Minister of Justice of Malaw
• H.E. Mr. Mr. Simon Coveney, TD, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ireland
• H.E. Mr. Sergey Lavrov, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation
• H.E. Mr. Nikos Dendias, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece
• H.E. Mr. Anthony J. Blinken, Secretary of State of the United States of America
• H.E. Mr. Darren Allan Henfield, MP, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas
• H.E. Ms. Yvonne Dausab, Minister of Justice of Namibia
• S.E. Mme Aimée Gbakrehonon Zebeyoux, Secrétaire d’Etat auprès du Garde des Sceaux, Ministre de la Justice et des Droits de l’Homme, chargée des Droits de l’homme de Côte d’Ivoire
• H.E. Mr. Marc Garneau, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Canada
• S.E. M. Zeyni Moulaye, Ministre des Affaires étrangères et de la Coopération internationale du Mali
• S.E. Mme Erlyne Antonela Ndembet Damas, Ministre de la Justice, Garde des Sceaux et chargé des droits de l’homme du Gabon
• H.E. Mr. Casten N. Nemra, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Marshall Islands
• S.E. M. Lejeune Mbella Mbella, Ministre des Relations extérieures du Cameroun
• H.E. Mr. Mohamed T. H. Siala, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Libya
• S.E. M. Jean-Yves Le Drian, Ministre de l’Europe et des affaires étrangères de la République française
• S.E. M. Luigi Di Maio, Ministre des Affaires Etrangères et de la Coopération Internationale d’Italie
• H.E. Mr. Menardo I. Guevarra, Minister of Justice of the Philippines
• H.E. Ms. Ana Luisa Castro, Vice Minister of Multilateral Affairs and Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Panama
• H.E. Ms. Gillian Triggs, Assistant High Commissioner for Protection of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
• H.E. Ms. Jan Beagle, Director-General of the International Development Law Organization
• H.E. Ms. Meg Taylor, Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum
• H.E. Mr. Joel Hernández, President of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights
• H.E. Mr. Martin Chungong, Secretary General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union