Civilians Quote by Kofi Annan
“Under international law, the responsibility for protecting civilians in conflict falls on the belligerents. Under military occupation, responsibility for the welfare of the population falls on the occupiers.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: UN General Assembly, 2005
In conflict, the party fighting must protect civilians; occupiers must care for the population.
In simple terms: Combatants and occupiers must protect civilians.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize civilian safety.
Themes
humanrights
law
conflict
responsibility
Mood
serious
urgent
Type
political
legal
When to use this quote
- war zones
- occupied territories
- humanitarian aid
Key Concepts
international law
humanitarian duty
Questions to Reflect On
- How can the international community enforce civilian protection?
- What mechanisms ensure occupiers meet welfare obligations?
A Different Perspective
Enforcement of these duties is often weak.
![“The other thing we did as government is to open gates for the civilians to leave that [ eastern part] area [in Aleppo], and at the same time for the humanitarian convoys and help to go through those gates inside that part of Aleppo, but the terrorists publicly refused any solution, so they wanted…” quote by Bashar al-Assad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6dc/bashar-al-assad-1027_areas_the-other-thing-we-did-as-government-is_37737.jpg)
![“[General Curtis] LeMay recognized that what he was doing would be thought immoral if his side has lost. But what makes it immoral if you lose and not immoral if you win?” quote by Robert McNamara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/165/robert-mcnamara-12738_burned_general-curtis-lemay-recognized-that-wha_43443.jpg)
