Vietnam urges respect for int`l humanitarian law

New York (VNA) - Vietnam supports the UN Security Council (UNSC)'s efforts to
boost the respect for International Humanitarian Law in armed conflicts, a permanent
Vietnamese representative to the UNSC said.

Addressing the council's debate on the matter in New York on Jan. 29,
Vietnamese Ambassador Le Luong Minh also stressed the importance of the principles
of ensuring humanitarian assistance to civilians and expressed his deep concern
about the widespread violations of international humanitarian law by parties in
conflicts, resulting in numerous losses of lives and properties of those the law
seeks to protect.

He also affirmed that the best measures to protect civilians and other subjects of
protection by international law in armed conflicts is to prevent, peacefully
resolve armed conflicts and eliminate mass destruction weapons, especially nuclear
weapons.

"Convenient interpretations, double standards, selectivity and politicisation have
been among the main hurdles preventing the very noble objectives of international
humanitarian law from being respected and implemented," he added.

Vietnam considers the notion of permissible civilian casualties on the part of
any warring party as unacceptable, Minh said, adding that measures taken by the
UNSC should focus on restoring peace, stability and the rule of law.-Enditem