A/HRC/9/28 page 30 9/9. Protection of the human rights of civilians in armed conflict The Human Rights Council, Guided by the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Recalling the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, the Additional Protocols thereto of 8 June 1977, other international human rights law and international humanitarian law instruments, and the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, Bearing in mind General Assembly resolution 60/251 of 15 March 2006, in which the Assembly states that the Human Rights Council shall be responsible for promoting universal respect for the protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, without distinction of any kind and in fair and equal manner, Recalling resolution 2005/63 of 20 April 2005 of the Commission on Human Rights, and taking note of decision 2006/21 of 24 August 2006 adopted by the Subcommission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights at its final session, Acknowledging that human rights law and international humanitarian law are complementary and mutually reinforcing, Gravely concerned at violations of human rights law and international humanitarian law during armed conflicts, wherever they occur, and their impact on the civilian population, especially women, children and vulnerable groups, Reiterating that effective measures to guarantee and monitor the implementation of human rights should be taken in respect of civilian populations in situations of armed conflict, including people under foreign occupation, and that effective protection against violations of their human rights should be provided, in accordance with international human rights law and applicable international humanitarian law, particularly Geneva Convention IV relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949, and other applicable international instruments, Emphasizing that States parties to the Geneva Conventions of 1949 have undertaken to respect and ensure respect for these Conventions in all circumstances, Considering that all human rights require protection equally and that the protection provided by human rights law continues in armed conflict situations, taking into account when international humanitarian law applies as a lex specialis, Recalling that, in accordance with article 4 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, certain rights are recognized as non-derogable in all circumstances and that any measures derogating from the provisions of the Covenant must be in accordance with its article 4 in all cases, and underlining the exceptional and temporary nature of any such derogations,