On February 13, the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the UN gave an intervention during the Security Council Open Debate dedicated to “Protection of Critical Infrastructure against Terrorist Attacks.”
In its statement, Archbishop Bernardito Auza, Permanent Observer, said that the terrorist attacks on civilian infrastructure and populations must be counteracted by the actions of a unified International Community. In accordance with the UN Charter, the international community has the responsibility to protect civilians and their critical infrastructure, like schools, hospitals, water supplies and places of worship, from terrorists who destroy them as a tactic to attack their livelihood and sense of community. Archbishop Auza reiterated the Holy See's appeal to weapon-producing nations severely to limit and control the manufacture and sale of weapons that carry out this damage, since when they fall into the hands of terrorists, they can be used to carry out this destruction. Archbishop Auza summoned States to address the role of organized crime in getting weapons to terrorists as well as to shut off the access to financial sponsorship. He likewise urged States to share critical information, best practices, resources and technologies.
The statement can be found here.