TheCable

“This is something that all countries should do,” he said.

The best way to protect civilians, he added, was to ratify humanitarian conventions.

“Political, military and administrative authorities must be aware of pledges made by governments and of the sanctions provided for under those conventions.”

Issoufou added that all countries must take on commitments to strengthen respect for international humanitarian law and human rights instruments, as well as guarantee that populations in need received humanitarian aid.

He said Niger faced multiple humanitarian issues, including population displacement due to terrorists attacks.

The president said Niger had ratified the Geneva Conventions and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

Also speaking,  Ján Eliasson, UN deputy secretary-general, said: “International humanitarian law and human rights are under assault around the world.”

Eliasson said civilians were being indiscriminately killed, while summary executions, arbitrary detention, forced disappearances and torture were daily realities.

“Lives are being shattered by sexual violence,” he said.

“Indeed, more than 150 years of achievements to protect the most vulnerable during conflict were unravelling.

“The Geneva Conventions seem to have been forgotten.”

He called on UN member states to promote respect for international law, enhance protection of civilians, allow unimpeded humanitarian access to those in need and condemn violations of international law.