LAW & POLICY NEWSLETTER  | SUMMER EDITION

📝 Geneva Conventions turn 74!

📸 Did you know?

Shot at the 1949 Diplomatic Conference for the Geneva Conventions (GC) adoption, this photo takes us to the Electoral Building which had served as the headquarters of the Central Prisoners of War Agency set up by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in early September 1939. 

In fact, two official signing ceremonies had been organized, one on the 12th of August 1949 and the other on the 8th of December of the same year. For the ceremony in December, the table on which the first Geneva Convention of 1864 was signed was later brought to the Electoral Building.

📖 GC Summer Reads

With armed conflicts persisting in various parts of the globe and at risk of breaking out in others, it is crucial to take a step back. This post revisits the making of the Geneva Conventions and demonstrates why this history still matters today.

Every anniversary of the GC provides the space for practitioners and legal experts to reflect upon how these four universally ratified treaties held up through seven decades of warfare. This article explores and debunks several commonly held assertions of challenges facing International Humanitarian Law ( IHL).

The GC were adopted on August 12, 1949. Numerous expert meetings were organized in the lead-up to the adoption of the Conventions. These various forums produced a whole range of documents that remain relevant today for the interpretation of GC. Here's a peek into the drafting history.

📍 IHL in Action

In the lead-up to the 74th anniversary, we have selected a set of real-world success stories showcasing respect for the Geneva Conventions. #IHLProtects

Eritrea/Ethiopia, Repatriation of Prisoners of War (PoWs)

In the aftermath of the Eritrean–Ethiopian War (1998-2000), both parties repatriated PoWs. The Algiers Peace Agreement enabled an independent commission to hear claims related to potential violations of IHL.

Georgia/Russia, Release of PoWs

During the 2008 conflict, in the village of Igoeti, following a six-point peace agreement mediated by the European Union, a simultaneous release of PoWs between Russia and Georgia took place.

Ecuador/Peru, Exchange of PoWs

At the conclusion of the 1995 Cenepa War, Ecuador and Peru agreed to an exchange of PoWs in furtherance of the Itamaraty and Montevideo agreements. This mutual return of PoWs contributed to a larger peace process taking place at the conclusion of the conflict.

💡 In the spotlight

🔗 46th Sanremo Round Table on Current Issues of IHL

The 46th Sanremo Round Table on Current Issues of IHL will be held in Sanremo, Italy, in a hybrid format on 14-15 September 2023 and focus on strengthening IHL compliance, the conduct of hostilities, the protection of essential services and humanitarian assistance in contemporary armed conflict. Register now.

📕 International Review of the Red Cross (IRRC)

📢 Call for Papers

The IRRC is still accepting proposals – but just for one more week! – on another call for papers: “International Humanitarian Law and Peace: Lessons for the Future.” The edition will focus on the nexus between IHL in peace. 📅 Proposals are due 15 August 2023.

The IRRC has launched its newest call for papers: “Military Perspectives on International Humanitarian Law.” For this edition, the IRRC invites proposals discussing military perspectives on IHL – and especially encourages those with current or former military experience to submit papers. 📅 Proposals are due 30 September 2023.

A few weeks ago, the IRRC launched a new edition: “Organized Crime.” The edition launch event took place at ICRC headquarters in Geneva, with speakers and attendees dialing in from all around the world. In case you missed it, the full video of the event launch is now available here. Short on time? Catch a highlights reel from the event here.

📝 Law & Policy Summer Reads:

Read this post that explores the growing relevance of IHL to financial institutions and the knowledge gaps that exist across the sector. 

Read this article which reflects on some key protection concerns in the digital age and lay out the way forward for protection actors to improve their preparedness to address these. 

Listen to or read this podcast-blog post that takes stock of the legal protections for persons with disabilities and reflects on how to move these legal and policy debates forward in the next few years.

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

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