A Chinese envoy on Wednesday called on the international community to take stronger action to protect humanitarian workers and UN personnel, urging immediate steps to promote ceasefires, ensure humanitarian access, and uphold international humanitarian law.
At an open debate on the protection of civilians in conflict areas, Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, made such remarks in a speech, in which he also emphasized the critical need to safeguard humanitarian workers and UN personnel.
He paid tribute to those serving on the front lines and expressed condolences for those who have lost their lives.
Fu noted that in 2024 alone, 377 humanitarian workers have been killed in conflict areas, with repeated violations of international humanitarian law.
He highlighted the grave security threats facing humanitarian workers in Gaza Strip, Lebanon, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
He said that China emphasizes the imperative for the international community to intensify efforts in facilitating ceasefires, ensuring unfettered humanitarian passage, reinforcing the primacy of international humanitarian law, optimizing protective frameworks, and augmenting peacekeeping forces' training and crisis responsiveness.
Fu stressed that China opposes double standard, emphasizing that all humanitarian workers deserve equal protection.
He urged the global community to work together to uphold humanitarian law and advance lasting peace. "We urge greater determination in restoring the authority of international humanitarian law. Humanitarian workers and UN personnel must never be targeted in military actions. This is a fundamental principle of international humanitarian law. In conflict situations, all parties must ensure safe and unhindered humanitarian access and safeguard the security of humanitarian agencies and personnel," said Fu.
Chinese envoy urges stronger protection for humanitarian workers in conflict zones
