Geneva Call and the protection of civilians: is engagement of armed non-State actors (ANSAs) an option?
Geneva
Meeting Documents
Geneva Call and the protection of civilians: is engagement of armed non-State actors (ANSAs) an option ?
Most of current armed conflict around the world involve one or several armed non-State actors. Civilians are the primary victims of these conflicts, and are exposed to all kinds of abuses. A part of these abuses – though by no means all – are committed by ANSAs. However, the nature of international law makes it difficult to address the behaviour of these groups. Existing International Humanitarian Law treaties are predominantly focused on states, and, while they have obligations under IHL, ANSAs cannot become parties to relevant international treaties. Thus, ANSAs may not feel bound to respect rules that they have neither contributed to creating nor formally declared their willingness to adhere to. Geneva Call aims to promote and enhance ANSA compliance with international humanitarian norms. While initially focusing on land mines, Geneva Call has expanded its work on international norms pertaining to the protection of children notably the recruitment and use of children in hostilities – and to the prohibition on sexual violence in armed conflict. In its efforts to promote ownership of international standards, Geneva Call has adopted an inclusive approach, whereby ANSAs have the opportunity – through signing a formal instrument called a Deed of Commitment – to express their adherence to specific humanitarian norms and to be held accountable for their pledge. In recent years, Geneva Call has also increasingly provided ANSAs with customised training on broad International Humanitarian Law rules, as well as advice on how to incorporate these rules into their codes of conduct and other internal regulations.
Presenter: Elisabeth Decrey Warner
President and co-founder or Geneva Call. She is currently a member of the Advisory Board of the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF) as well as of the Geneva International Center for Humanitarian Demining. For Geneva calls most recent activities, the last flash news, please follow this link: http://us7.campaign-archive2.com/?u=88d093c8f5253c75af7f79c08&id=ef0bfed4be