May 3, 2017

The extent and intensity of violence against health workers globally remained alarmingly high in 2016, the Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition said in a new report today. The report also finds that accountability for committing these attacks remains inadequate or non-existent.

The report, entitled Impunity Must End, documents attacks on health care in 23 countries. Its release today falls on the first anniversary of the UN Security Council’s adoption of Resolution 2286 that set out a roadmap to the protection of health in conflict.

The report calls on the Security Council and countries to take concrete steps toward preventing attacks and ending impunity, as recommended last year by the UN Secretary-General. These steps include regular reporting by countries to the UN on actions taken to prevent attacks, investigating those that occur, and holding perpetrators accountable. Where member states fail to act, the Secretary urged, the Security Council should initiate thorough investigations and establish accountability procedures.

The Security Council and states have failed to take these actions.

“Our findings cry out for a level of commitment and follow-through by the international co