Remarks by the President of the General Assembly,
Mr. Philemon Yang,? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
¡°Taking the Stand: Strengthening International Humanitarian Law and Accountability¡±
8 December 2024 ¨C Doha Forum
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
In a world fractured by conflict, the importance of upholding international humanitarian law cannot be overstated.
At its core, international humanitarian law establishes a framework of rules to protect lives and preserve dignity even amidst the harsh realities of war.
The Geneva Conventions are the cornerstone of this framework.
The original Geneva Convention of 1864 marked a historic milestone.
Since then, international humanitarian law has grown to incorporate treaties and protocols that regulate the conduct of war and mitigate its devastating effects.
The four Geneva Conventions of 1949, and their additional protocols, represent a codified commitment to safeguarding human dignity in times of armed conflict.
However, as we mark their 75th anniversary this year, we are confronted with the crude reality of ever-growing levels of impunity at war.
Excellencies,
Today, over 120 conflicts rage across the globe, often accompanied by violations of international humanitarian law, and immense human suffering.
In 2023 alone, the United Nations recorded at least 33,443 civilian deaths in armed conflicts¡ªa 72 percent increase from 2022.
The proportion of women killed in armed conflicts doubled, while that of children tripled.
The targeting of civilians and critical infrastructure, including hospitals, has been increasingly normalized.
In Gaza, where medical and humanitarian needs grow more desperate by the hour, health facilities are besieged, and health and humanitarian workers are being killed.
Beyond the Middle East, conflicts in Ukraine, Sudan, Haiti and elsewhere underscore the devastating consequences of violations of international humanitarian law.
This cannot be allowed to continue. For even wars have rules.
Excellencies,
Violations of international humanitarian law occur because we are failing to adequately enforce them.
We must collectively and resolutely enforce these principles in all circumstances, without exception.
Let us recall that the Geneva Conventions have been universally ratified and are binding on all States.
(PAUSE)
As we work to strengthen enforcement, we must also recognize that advancements in technology have transformed warfare, introducing complex humanitarian and legal dilemmas.
This notwithstanding, the rules and principles of international humanitarian law must be upheld in every form of warfare.
Excellencies,
In the Pact for the Future, States reaffirmed their commitment to protecting civilians in armed conflicts.
Accordingly, we must intensify efforts to strengthen mechanisms that prevent violations of international humanitarian law and hold perpetrators accountable.
This requires integrating international humanitarian law into domestic legal systems, criminalizing grave breaches, training armed forces, and fostering its public understanding.
We must also promote the universal ratification of key treaties, particularly the additional protocols to the Geneva Conventions.
Disseminating knowledge of international humanitarian law to all parties in conflict is equally vital.
Our collective influence must foster compliance, prevent violations, and address breaches decisively.
To advance this agenda, I will convene a High-level thematic debate on human dignity in armed conflict in January 2025.
This event will aim to reinforce adherence to international humanitarian law and reaffirm the centrality of humanity in all our efforts.
Excellencies,
We must not reduce international humanitarian law to an empty slogan.
By upholding it, we save lives, preserve human dignity, and increase the likelihood of peace.
I call on all States to take decisive action to ensure respect for international humanitarian law and thereby uphold the principles of humanity even in the most trying times.
Thank you.
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