S/PV.5977 Security Council

There were 15 votes in favour. The draft resolution has been adopted unanimously as resolution 1833 (2008). I now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements following the voting.

My delegation voted in favour of the resolution that has just been adopted. We wish to reaffirm our full support for the Government and the people of Afghanistan in their efforts to bring peace and security to their country. We hope that the adoption of this resolution will assist them in achieving that goal. However, my country would like to express its concern at the rising number of civilian casualties in Afghanistan as a result of operations carried out by the multinational forces. In that regard, we wish to reiterate that combating terrorism in no way justifies the killing of civilians. During their operations, the multinational forces must make every effort to ensure that Afghan civilians are adequately protected and that the human rights of the Afghan people are protected and guaranteed. Those arrested must be given fair trials and must be held in conditions that are in accordance with international humanitarian law and human rights principles. The use of force alone cannot achieve peace and security in Afghanistan, which requires a comprehensive dialogue aimed at national reconciliation among all factions of the Afghan people without exception.

There are no further speakers on my list. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda.