Make nations act against non-state outfits: India tells UNSC

Asserting that non-state terrorist groups "cannot act in a vacuum," India has told the UN Security Council to act "robustly" and make nations take actions against such outfits.
"Accountability of member states faces a specific challenge with regard to non-state actors, especially terrorist groups, who act beyond the pale of law with impunity," India's Ambassador to UN Asoke Mukerji said at the Security Council open debate on 'Protection of Journalists in Conflict Situations' here yesterday.
He said the international community has witnessed acts committed by non-state terrorist groups against journalists in the recent past.
"However, even non-state terrorist groups cannot act in a vacuum. We believe that the Council, as the primary organ of the United Nations for maintaining international peace and security, needs to act robustly.

"It should do so using the instruments of law, using the information available to it, to make member states act against such non-state actors," Mukerji said adding that the Council should also help those member states who may need assistance to strengthen their national capacities to take such action.
In the context of peacekeeping missions, Mukerji said India concurs with the view that aparticular focus should be given to the protection of journalists as a distinct category of civilians to be protected in terms of implementing the mandates.

He reiterated that this responsibility is vested in the member states hosting such peacekeeping operations.

"...It is also true that the threat faced by the journalists, as is the case with civilians in armed conflict situations, has undergone a significant change in recent years, especially due to the change in the nature and rising number of the armed conflicts.
"These often put journalists at specific risks. This situation calls for concerted efforts by all States and parties to ensure the safety of journalists in conflict situations," he said.
Mukerji said it is not so much the lack of rules but the failure to implement existing norms which is wanting, in terms of protecting journalists working in conflict areas from harm.

"It is pertinent therefore to reiterate that protection of journalists in all situations is the foremost responsibility of every State, and States should do everything possible in their reach in fulfilling this obligation," he added.