On 17 February, the European Union (EU), the African Union (AU), and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) will host a high-level side event on improving compliance with international humanitarian law (IHL). The virtual meeting is organised in the framework of the Africa-Europe week.
- international humanitarian law
- -
- Live streaming available
Practical information
- When
- -
- Languages
- English
- Organisers
- the European Union (EU), the African Union (AU), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
Description
The dire consequences of armed conflicts show that compliance with international humanitarian law (IHL) by all parties is of paramount importance. In addition, the lack of respect for IHL is often the principal cause of suffering for civilian populations.
IHL defines, among others:
- the rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian aid in armed conflict
- the freedom of movement of humanitarian workers
- the protection of civilians (including medical and humanitarian workers)
- the protection of refugees, prisoners, the wounded and sick.
This side-event is an opportunity to:
- highlight challenges related to compliance with IHL
- take stock of efforts deployed by the EU, the AU and the ICRC
- share good practices
- identify potential future collaborative approaches to foster increased respect for IHL.
The event will be a 1h30 panel discussion introduced by a national African actor working on IHL. Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, will participate in the panel, which will be followed by a plenary session.