75 years of the Geneva Conventions: Concern instead of celebration
Published: Monday, Aug 12th 2024, 13:00
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The world made a commitment 75 years ago with the Geneva Conventions to protect people in conflict situations, but this is working less and less. "International humanitarian law is being strained, disregarded and undermined," said the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Mirjana Spoljaric, in Geneva.
She is deeply concerned. She criticized the fact that the parties to the conflict were pushing the boundaries of what they considered to be permissible in conflicts ever further. This weakens the protective effect of the Geneva Conventions.
Geneva Conventions apply universally
The strictly neutral organization is tasked with monitoring compliance with the conventions worldwide. The four Geneva Conventions were signed on August 12, 1949. They have been ratified by 196 countries. They now apply universally, to armies and non-state armed groups. Among other things, they protect civilians and prisoners of war.
Spoljaric criticized the fact that hospitals and schools are increasingly being attacked in conflicts. In addition, humanitarian aid is sometimes blocked with the argument that the material could be misused for purposes other than supporting uninvolved civilians.
More than 120 active conflicts worldwide
She appeals to conflict parties around the world to renew their commitment to the Geneva Conventions. Twenty-five years ago, there were 20 active conflicts worldwide. Today there are more than 120, she said. The ICRC is in contact with 200 conflict parties and trains many of them to promote compliance with international humanitarian law.
Spoljaric also demanded rules for the use of autonomous weapons. This refers to systems that are trained with artificial intelligence, for example, to find and engage targets on their own. In the end, people would always have to decide on the use of war machines, she said.
Spoljaric called on politicians in all countries to contribute more to conflict resolution. "Where are the peacemakers? Where are the men and women who lead negotiations and create space for them?" she said. No country is immune to attacks. Everyone benefits economically and socially for decades to come if conflicts are resolved or avoided.
©Keystone/SDA
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