peace and security

 The UN Security Council (UNSC) is failing people living in conflict, with Russia and the United States particularly responsible for abusing their veto power which is blocking progress toward peace in Ukraine, Syria, and the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel. Ahead of the UN Summit for the Future, Oxfam calls for reform of the UN Security Council to stop the “Permanent Five” from being their own “judge and jury”.

This year, Oxfam leaders, experts, and partners are joining the UN 79th General Assembly, Summit of the Future, and Climate Action week in New York, hosting and attending events focused on UN Security Council Reform, gender, digital rights, inequality, climate action, and humanitarian issues.

Oxfam's "Vetoing Humanity," studied 23 of the world’s most protracted conflicts over the past decade, and found that 27 of the 30 UNSC vetoes cast on these conflicts were on Palestine, Syria and Ukraine. Oxfam and partners are at UNGA 79 this year, to call for a wholesale reform of the UN Security Council that starts with abolishing the veto power of the "elite club" - five permanent members China, France, Russia, UK and the US.

Oxfam leaders, experts, and partners are joining the UN 79th General Assembly, Summit of the Future, and Climate Action week in New York, hosting and attending events focused on UN Security Council Reform, gender, digital rights, inequality, climate action, and humanitarian issues. They will be urging global leaders to take bold decisions and action as they deliberate on the pressing issues of our time.

While women in civil society often lead the way in preventing and bringing an end to violence, they are not included meaningfully in peace and security decision-making, even at the UN Security Council – the guardian of the Women, Peace and Security agenda. 

Civil society has a vital role in advocating for inclusive, people-centred security provision which meets the everyday safety and security needs of all. This is especially crucial in fragile and conflict-affected contexts, characterized by high levels of insecurity.

The violations outlined by the UN are proof of the misery and suffering being inflicted on the people of Yemen.

No-one can escape the devastating grip of war. For women, it can mark a point of no return. But it can also be a door to new opportunities. Through examples from Iraq, the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Yemen, this report analyses the impact war and occupation have had on the lives of women.

People displaced by conflict (IDPs) in Myanmar’s Kachin State want to return to their land, yet it is being appropriated unfairly. Action is required to resolve the lack of clarity over IDP land rights and to ensure equitable remedy is available where land has been unfairly acquired.

A wave of violence has once again crossed Central African Republic since October 2016. The efforts made by the newly elected authorities need to be sustained and to receive real financial and technical support from the international community.