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Remarks by the President of the General Assembly, \u201cTaking the Stand: Strengthening International Humanitarian Law and Accountability\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n 8 December 2024 \u2013 Doha Forum<\/strong><\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/p>\n Ladies and gentlemen,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In a world fractured by conflict, the importance of upholding international humanitarian law cannot be overstated.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n At its core, international humanitarian law establishes a framework of rules to protect lives and preserve dignity even amidst the harsh realities of war.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Geneva Conventions are the cornerstone of this framework.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The original Geneva Convention of 1864 marked a historic milestone.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Since then, international humanitarian law has grown to incorporate treaties and protocols that regulate the conduct of war and mitigate its devastating effects.<\/p>\n The four Geneva Conventions of 1949, and their additional protocols, represent a codified commitment to safeguarding human dignity in times of armed conflict.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n However, as we mark their 75th anniversary this year, we are confronted with the crude reality of ever-growing levels of impunity at war.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Today, over 120 conflicts rage across the globe, often accompanied by violations of international humanitarian law, and immense human suffering.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In 2023 alone, the United Nations recorded at least 33,443 civilian deaths in armed conflicts\u2014a 72 percent increase from 2022.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The proportion of women killed in armed conflicts doubled, while that of children tripled.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The targeting of civilians and critical infrastructure, including hospitals, has been increasingly normalized.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Beyond the Middle East, conflicts in Ukraine, Sudan, Haiti and elsewhere underscore the devastating consequences of violations of international humanitarian law.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This cannot be allowed to continue. For even wars have rules.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Violations of international humanitarian law occur because we are failing to adequately enforce them.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n We must collectively and resolutely enforce these principles in all circumstances, without exception.<\/p>\n Let us recall that the Geneva Conventions have been universally ratified and are binding on all States.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n (PAUSE)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As we work to strengthen enforcement, we must also recognize that advancements in technology have transformed warfare, introducing complex humanitarian and legal dilemmas.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This notwithstanding, the rules and principles of international humanitarian law must be upheld in every form of warfare.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In the Pact for the Future, States reaffirmed their commitment to protecting civilians in armed conflicts.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Accordingly, we must intensify efforts to strengthen mechanisms that prevent violations of international humanitarian law and hold perpetrators accountable.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This requires integrating international humanitarian law into domestic legal systems, criminalizing grave breaches, training armed forces, and fostering its public understanding.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n We must also promote the universal ratification of key treaties, particularly the additional protocols to the Geneva Conventions.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Disseminating knowledge of international humanitarian law to all parties in conflict is equally vital.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Our collective influence must foster compliance, prevent violations, and address breaches decisively.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n To advance this agenda, I will convene a High-level thematic debate on human dignity in armed conflict in January 2025.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This event will aim to reinforce adherence to international humanitarian law and reaffirm the centrality of humanity in all our efforts.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n We must not reduce international humanitarian law to an empty slogan.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n By upholding it, we save lives, preserve human dignity, and increase the likelihood of peace.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Thank you. <\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n * ***** <\/strong><\/p>\n Media Contacts<\/strong><\/p>\n Sharon Birch<\/strong>,\u00a0Spokesperson for\u00a0the President of the General Assembly,\u00a0Tel: + 212 963 0564, M: +1 646 342 5873, Email: birchs@un.org<\/a><\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n Dr. Mariam Shaikh, <\/strong>Adviser\/ Social and Digital Media\/Media Relations M: +1 917 3614990, mariam.shaikh@un.org<\/a><\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n More Information and Updates\u00a0: Website<\/a><\/u><\/strong>: \u00a0<\/strong>YouTube: <\/a><\/u><\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>X (Twitter):<\/a><\/u><\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>Instagram<\/a><\/u><\/strong>: \u00a0<\/strong>LinkedIn: <\/a><\/u><\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>Photo Repository<\/a><\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Remarks by the President of the General Assembly,Mr. Philemon Yang,\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u201cTaking the Stand: Strengthening International Humanitarian Law and Accountability\u201d […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":373,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[81,111],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-282393","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blog","category-speeches","et-doesnt-have-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"\n
Mr. Philemon Yang,<\/strong>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n