The 75th anniversary of the Geneva Convention and its disregard in current wars

2024-08-12 17:35:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

The 75th anniversary of the Geneva Convention and its disregard in current wars

File photo of the first Geneva Convention, at the museum of the International Red Cross in Geneva, Switzerland/AP

In the 75th anniversary of its officialization, the Geneva Convention, which defines the rules of war, remains the most well-known international convention. But from the war in Gaza to the war in Syria, from the conflict in Ukraine to the one in Myanmar, this set of rules on the protection of civilians, prisoners and soldiers injured in war is largely ignored and its defenders are call for renewed commitment to respect international law.

The Geneva Convention, which has been adopted by almost all countries of the world since it was drafted on August 12, 1949, is in a disadvantageous position. Militant groups and armies are regularly flouting the laws of war.

The president of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Mirjana Shpoljaric, says that "international humanitarian law is under pressure."

"International law is being ignored. It is being undermined to justify violence. More than ever, the world must recommit itself to respecting this framework that provides protection during armed conflict, on the premise of protecting life and not justifying death," says Mrs. Shpoljaric.

The roots of the convention stretch back to the 19th century. Its purpose is to define the rules of war: they prohibit torture and sexual violence, provide for the humane treatment of prisoners, and oblige the parties to the conflict to search for the missing.

According to Ms. Shpoljaric, the Convention "has stood the test of time" and it reflects "an international consensus that every war must have a limit." She adds that "the dehumanization of enemy combatants and the civilian population is a path that leads to destruction and disaster."

"The fourth part of the convention, which provides very adequate protection of civilians after the Second World War, at the time it was adopted, was a miracle. But despite universal support, its non-compliance remains a serious problem. Even when the parties say they respect each other, overly narrow interpretations hinder its effectiveness. That's why I call today for states to make compliance with the Geneva Convention a political priority everywhere," she says.

According to the Red Cross, there are currently over 120 active conflicts in the world, a sixfold increase since the Convention marked its 50th anniversary in 1999.

"Today there are over 120 conflicts recorded by my organization and while governments and media are focused on the destruction in Ukraine and Gaza, armed conflicts in other parts of the world are just as shocking. Violence in Ethiopia has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives. The war has forcibly displaced 8 million people in Sudan and 6 million in Congo. The ongoing conflicts in Mali, the Central African Republic, Colombia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Syria and Yemen have a high human cost," declared Mrs. Shpoljaric.

Currently, many states and armed groups exploit the shortcomings of international humanitarian law and interpret it as they wish.

Hospitals, schools, ambulances have been hit in attacks, and aid workers and civilians continue to be killed, while states deny access to prisoners.

According to Ms. Shpoljari?, international relations are breaking away from cooperation agreements towards defense spending and preparations for conflict and towards a divisive approach, which, according to her, has high costs.