A/68/297 VII. Conclusion and recommendations 68. A right to health approach to conflict situations obliges States to take continuous and concrete steps towards the realization of the right to health of persons affected by conflict, including those who are actively involved in conflict. The Special Rapporteur recommends that States enact and implement laws and policies which respect, protect and fulfil the right to health of affected populations, especially vulnerable groups, prior to, during and after conflict. 69. The Special Rapporteur emphasizes that the effective participation of affected communities, especially vulnerable groups, is essential to the right to health framework. Affected communities should, at all times, be involved in the formulation, implementation and monitoring of decisions and agreements that affect their right to health, including policies regarding conflict situations and post-conflict situations. 70. The Special Rapporteur urges States involved in conflict situations: (a) To make resources available, including through humanitarian assistance, to fulfil their obligations under the right to health. States should fulfil their non-derogable core obligations under the right to health at all times; (b) To ensure the availability, accessibility and acceptability of quality health facilities, goods and services to all people involved in and/or affected by conflict, without discrimination. Particular attention should be given to vulnerable groups; (c) To avoid formulating laws and policies which criminalize provision of health services by health professionals to people involved in conflict, or repeal them where they exist. States should also refrain from interfering with the duty of health professionals to provide services in an impartial manner; (d) To refrain from obstructing, restricting or limiting access to health facilities, goods and services. In cases where such barriers become necessary, restrictions should be proportionate to the objective sought and should follow the least restrictive alternative; (e) To abstain from attacking health facilities, goods, services and workers, especially as a conflict strategy, including in areas controlled by armed groups. States should also take measures to protect health facilities, goods, services and workers from attacks by non-State armed groups; (f) To forgo militarizing health facilities, goods and services; (g) To engage with non-State armed groups, through voluntary agreements, to facilitate access to health facilities, goods and services; (h) To ensure effective monitoring of violations of the right to health during conflict by making information available and accessible to independent monitoring groups, including community-based monitoring groups. 71. The Special Rapporteur urges States recovering from conflict: (a) To formulate and implement plans for the reconstruction of infrastructure and delivery of underlying determinants, with particular attention to the needs of vulnerable groups. States should formulate laws to 13-42297 23/24