LAW & POLICY NEWSLETTER

Forced to report: mandatory reporting of sexual violence in armed conflict

Over the last decade, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and its Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement partners, as well as other humanitarian actors responding to sexual violence, have increasingly raised concerns about mandatory reporting policies and whether they may, in fact, be harming rather than helping victims/survivors of sexual- and gender-based violence. Following its 2020 multi-country study on the unintended humanitarian consequences of mandatory reporting, the ICRC and the British Red Cross (BRC) have continuously advocated for a more cohesive survivor-centered approach that harmonizes the legitimate aims of such laws with victims/survivors’ rights to safe and confidential care. 

To help practitioners and policymakers navigate these complexities, the ICRC and BRC hosted a half-day hybrid conference on 19 June 2024, during which expert panelists provided insights into the research, lived experiences, legal and law enforcement frameworks, as well as operational impact of mandatory reporting. In this post, the ICRC’s Adviser for Humanitarian Diplomacy and Policy Maria Carolina Aissa de Figueredo analyzes some of the key outcomes of these discussions while proposing concrete recommendations for how states, humanitarian actors, and communities can start to reconcile some of the existing challenges around mandatory reporting. 

De-dehumanization: practicing humanity

Uncover the concepts of humanity and dehumanization, their impacts on conflict and violence, and how global legal frameworks and principles can mitigate the damaging effects of dehumanization.

Trapped in conflict: urban sieges and encirclement

Explore the impact of urban sieges and encirclements in modern conflicts, their regulation under international humanitarian law, and the urgent need for better mitigation strategies to protect civilians.

Reinventing the wheel? Three lessons that the AWS debate can learn from existing arms control agreements

Discover how lessons from past arms control agreements can inform the ongoing UN discussions on regulating autonomous weapon systems (AWS) through a two-tier approach involving prohibitions and restrictions.

💡 In the spotlight

Convention on Cluster Munitions Meet the Makers Podcast Debut with ICRC's Fahad Ahmed

In this podcast, Fahad Ahmed, Legal Advisor with CONSULT discussed the issue of cluster munitions, the consequences of using them, and the necessary action needed to universalize the Convention on Cluster Munitions. 

Does international law prohibit ‘constructive refoulement’?

 Does international law prohibit ‘constructive refoulement’? At what point do measures taken to ‘incite’ migrants to leave a state's territory become illegal? Read about this in a new blog by ICRC colleagues Tilman Rodenhäuser and Padmaja Menon.

ICRC participates in OAS General Assembly in Asuncion, Paraguay

The ICRC participated in the 54th OAS General Assembly in Asuncion, Paraguay, from June 26-28, represented by Alexandre Formisano, Regional Head of Delegation in Brasilia, and Legal Advisor Gabriel Valladares.

Customary IHL Database: new practice added

The Customary IHL Database contains the rules identified in the 2005 Study, the underlying practice & regular updates of the practice part. Just added: new practice from Cambodia and Rwanda.

Humanitarian Visa d’Or: Hugh Kinsella Cunningham wins for documenting the plight of civilians in the DRC

Explore the impactful work of the ICRC Humanitarian Visa d’Or winner, honored for capturing the harsh realities faced by civilians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo through compelling photography.

Inside Geneva Podcast: is international law dead?  

Explore insights from Laurent Gisel of the ICRC on a recent "Inside Geneva" podcast, discussing the nuances of international humanitarian law, including the lesser-known prohibition of blinding laser weapons, and the importance of respecting these laws during conflicts for post-conflict peace.

🔖 Missed any of these? 

Discover newly released photos from the ICRC's audiovisual archives, showcasing 160 years of its humanitarian efforts and the evolution of photography as a crucial tool.

Join the ICRC Law & Policy Group on LinkedIn to never miss an update on all things IHL and policy. 

For the millions of people in countries reliant on humanitarian assistance, greater support is desperately needed to save lives and avert further suffering. You can help the people you are reading about.

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