Paper details
| Paper authors | Coline Beytout-Lamarque |
| In panel on | In Defense of Humanity: Civilian Protection, Aid Work, and the Demise of IHL (Roundtable) |
| Paper presenter(s) will be presenting |
In-Person / |
Abstract
Contrary to what we can read and hear in the news, International Humanitarian Law (IHL) is more relevant and alive than ever. International Law is not dead, but in some of the 120 armed conflicts ongoing, the rules are not respected. For the concerned populations it is essential to keep recallling the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution. This is the role of the Red Cross for over 160 years. Paradoxicolly, head of states continue to justify their action based on their interpratation of law, eg attacking on hospital because it is used as a military base for the other party to the conflict. Facing this legitimacy crisis, IHL is the ultimate barrier to limite political state interests and to counter the law of the strongest. Peace is only possible if a minimum of humanity is savegarded in the chaos of war. This why the Red Cross will keep promote and disseminate IHL.
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