Geneva Call: From Rhetoric to Reality: Strengthening Protection of Conflict Affected Civilians in Yemen

As Yemen entered its ninth year of the conflict, millions of people in Yemen are suffering from the compounded effects of armed violence, ongoing economic crisis and disrupted public services. In 2023, an estimated 21.6 million people will need humanitarian assistance and protection services.

Across Yemen, protection needs remain extremely high, including due to the continued violations of IHL and IHRL. Overall, some 17.7 million people are estimated to be in need of protection services in 2023.

1. AGDA, including military and civilian leadership and command level representatives and fighters, as well as affiliated civilian institutions.

2. Internationally Recognized Government (IRG) security and military apparatus, judiciary, prosecution, Ministry of Human Rights, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Defense, and Interior, and relevant local authorities and administrations at governorate and district levels.

3. National Commission of Inquiry into Human Rights Violations.

4. CSO/CBO, INGOs, local NGOs.

5. Advocacy groups, media, activists, and journalists with a role in reporting and documenting violations.

6. Tribal and religious leaders or influencers.

7. General public and community leaders in areas impacted by conflict.

Geographical coverage: Amanat Al-Asimah/Sana’a, West Coast, Ma’rib, Aden, Lahj, Shabwa and Hadhramaut.

Outcome 1: Decreased IHL violations through changes in AGDA’s behaviours, policies and practices by strengthening knowledge for greater compliance with IHL. 

Outcome 2: Communities empowered to have safe dialogues with AGDA on community-identified issues, resulting in reduced IHL violations. 

Outcome 3: Evidence based studies on root causes of IHL violations contribute to enhanced programming, advocacy and coordination with relevant stakeholders.

Expected results:  

Output 1.1)    At least six armed groups trained and sensitized on respect for International Humanitarian Law. 

Output 1.2)    Armed groups’ compliance (policies and practices) on IHL is enhanced through Geneva Call’s engagement.

Output 2.1)    CSOs’, CBOs’, and civilian institutions’ technical capacity and knowledge strengthened to advocate for AGDA’s compliance with IHL.

Output 2.2)    Community and tribal leaders and representatives trained and supported to, identify priority needs and engage in dialogue with AGDAs.

Output 2.3)    Sensitization of civilians on IHL through social media, radio, TV and print communication campaigns.

Output 3.1)    Studies conducted on the underlying causes of conflict, IHL violations and comparison of collaborative dispute resolution mechanisms.

Output 3.2)    Research outputs and Geneva Call’s lessons learnt widely disseminated among International, regional and national stakeholders for advocacy and coordination purposes.

Results from previous phases:   The Geneva Call engagement with Armed Groups and De-facto Authorities (AGDAs) in the past few years comprised of political engagement with senior leadership, awareness raising sessions with military leadership, listening sessions with community leaderships and IHL training for over 500 AGDAs, 300 CSO and over 200 civilians including journalists, judges, lawyers and educators. Themes such as humanitarian access, prevention of child recruitment, prohibition of use of landmine, protection of humanitarian workers and civilians were addressed through these engagements. Lessons learnt from previous phases are being incorporated in this proposed new phase, including new approach around Deeds of Commitments.