Switzerland is the Depositary of the Conventions, a role that it plays with all necessary diligence and conscientiousness. But first and foremost, my country is a High Contracting Party to the Conventions, mindful of the obligation at Article 1 common to the Conventions “to respect and to ensure [their] respect”. That is why Switzerland is seizing this anniversary as an opportunity to again highlight the central importance of the Conventions, especially nowadays, at a time when conflicts continue to cause so much suffering, so much destruction and so many victims.
Earlier in May, the Embassy of Switzerland in Tanzania, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Tanzania Red Cross Society (TRCS) jointly inaugurated the photo exhibition ‘Dialogues On Humanity’ on World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day at the National Museum in Dar es Salaam. The event, with a panel discussion on ‘The Geneva Conventions at 75: The Importance of the Laws of War Today’, highlighted the significance of these Conventions.
The Geneva Conventions are centrally important because they are the only international conventions ratified by all States. They are important because they are realistic, taking into account the fact that, sadly, war is happening, but setting limits to it and regulating the behaviour of the warring parties, in order to protect all those who are not (the civilian population), or are no longer (the wounded, the sick and the prisoners) taking an active part in hostilities. They are important because they are as relevant as ever - more often than not, what we see are images of what their disregard provokes – but the fact is that the Conventions continue to save lives and alleviate suffering, even in the midst of the worst horror, thanks in particular to the courageous actions of humanitarian workers, UN personnel and volunteers. And they are important because they must be a political priority - they are the result of the political will of all States, simply and precisely because they have our common humanity at their core. All States – all of them Parties to the Conventions – should affirm and reaffirm their political will to respect them.
The Geneva Conventions continue to save millions of lives threatened by the many conflicts all around the world; to reunite thousands of separated family members; and to comfort thousands of prisoners of war. Suffering throughout the world would be even greater without them. Yet, as we are all too aware, there are too many violations of these rules: executions of civilians, hostage taking, bombing of hospitals, torture, the use of famine and rape as methods of warfare, and so on. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, in Ukraine, in Sudan, in Gaza, in Yemen and in so many other places, the humanitarian consequences are devastating – and unacceptable.
But let us make no mistake. The greatest challenge is not the relevance of the rules themselves, but to ensure that they are respected and implemented. If the Conventions were fully respected by all parties to a conflict, many of today's humanitarian crisis would not be as severe as we see them to be. All States have an obligation to “respect and ensure respect” for the Geneva Conventions “in all circumstances”. All States, and other actors, should therefore use their influence to prevent and stop violations of the Conventions and other relevant instruments of International Humanitarian Law.
Remaining firm in its commitment to and respect for humanitarian principles, Switzerland therefore calls on all states to (i) use their influence to prevent and put an end to violations of the Geneva Conventions; (ii) ratify the three Additional Protocols; (iii) recognize the competence of the International Humanitarian Fact-Finding Commission; (IV) set up or strengthen National Committees for the implementation of international humanitarian law; (v) establish voluntary reports on the domestic implementation of international humanitarian law; (vi) adopt laws implementing the Geneva Conventions at the domestic level and disseminate them within the armed forces and the civilian population.
Respect for the Geneva Conventions must be a political priority. Let us be inspired by the inter-state cooperation that was at work back in 1949. Let us continue our joint efforts.
Article by: Didier Chassot, Ambassador of Switzerland to Tanzania
