How can respect for international humanitarian law mitigate harm and protect civilians in situations of armed conflict in practice?

Danish Refugee Council and Danish Red Cross are hosting an event to explore the humanitarian and protection challenges of breaches of international humanitarian law - and how civilian harm in armed conflict settings can be mitigated by promoting respect for international humanitarian law, other protection of civilians good practice, and principled humanitarian action.  

Time: Monday 19 April 2021, 14:00-15:30 Place: The event will be held online in Microsoft Teams

 

More than 30 armed conflicts are raging around the globe, accounting for 80% of all humanitarian needs and acting as a major trigger for continued displacement. The human cost is devastating and many of these harmful consequences stem from a lack of respect for International Humanitarian Law by State and non-State parties alike.

It is the primary responsibility of parties to a conflict to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure and meet the humanitarian needs arising from the conflict - and if unwilling or unable to do so, facilitate that impartial humanitarian actors can offer their services. Despite this, access of populations in need to humanitarian protection and assistance is often hindered. Humanitarian action may be instrumentalized by parties to conflict or assisting 3rd states, and in some cases impeded by counter terror measures or sanctions regimes. 

Speakers at the event will provide insights into the operational contexts in Libya and Yemen, and the relevance of international humanitarian law, and humanitarian principles, in ensuring that populations in conflict settings have access to protection and humanitarian assistance. We hope you will take the opportunity to engage with our panel with high-level representatives from the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and CIVIC as they discuss Denmark’s role and how Danish humanitarian policy can be an effective tool for mitigation of harm and protection of civilians.  

More than 30 armed conflicts are raging around the globe, accounting for 80% of all humanitarian needs and acting as a major trigger for continued displacement. The human cost is devastating and many of these harmful consequences stem from a lack of respect for International Humanitarian Law by State and non-State parties alike.

It is the primary responsibility of parties to a conflict to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure and meet the humanitarian needs arising from the conflict - and if unwilling or unable to do so, facilitate that impartial humanitarian actors can offer their services. Despite this, access of populations in need to humanitarian protection and assistance is often hindered. Humanitarian action may be instrumentalized by parties to conflict or assisting 3rd states, and in some cases impeded by counter terror measures or sanctions regimes. 

Speakers at the event will provide insights into the operational contexts in Libya and Yemen, and the relevance of international humanitarian law, and humanitarian principles, in ensuring that populations in conflict settings have access to protection and humanitarian assistance. We hope you will take the opportunity to engage with our panel with high-level representatives from the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and Centre for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC) as they discuss Denmark’s role and how Danish humanitarian policy can be an effective tool for mitigation of harm and protection of civilians.  

Programme

14.00-14.15 Welcome and introductory remarks
By Moderator Verner Kristiansen, and Director of Programmes, Policy and External Relations, Rikke Friis, Danish Refugee Council & International Director, Peter Klansø, Danish Red Cross. 

14.15-14.25 Remarks by the State Secretary for Development Policy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, Lotte Machon
Outline of Denmark’s engagement in promotion of respect for IHL, humanitarian principles and civilian protection and humanitarian policy priorities

14.25-14.45 Operational perspectives on protection and access concerns arising from breaches of IHL and lack of respect for the humanitarian principles
 

  • Liam Kelly, Country Director for Libya, Danish Refugee Council 
    On the current situation in Libya and the main protection and humanitarian access concerns, and examples of possible mitigation measures.
     
  • Charlotte Kjørup, Regional Director for MENA, Danish Red Cross
    On the current situation in Yemen and the main protection and humanitarian access concerns, and examples on possible mitigation measures.

14.45-15.25 Moderated panel debate with speakers and Q&A 

  • Eva Svoboda, Deputy Director of International Law & Policy, ICRC with recommendations and examples on how a State like Denmark can promote respect for IHL and other good practices on protection of civilians though policy instruments.
     
  • Sahr Muhammedally, Head of MENA & South Asia, CIVIC on lessons on more effective engagement with parties to conflict and third-party states on the protection of civilians affected by armed conflict.  
     
  • Rolf Holmboe, Danish Ambassador to Mali, on Denmark’s engagement in Mali and work to increase access to protection and assistance and promotion of respect for IHL of parties to the conflict.  

15.25-15.30 Summary and closing by co-organisers
By Peter Klansø, Danish Red Cross & Rikke Friis, Danish Refugee Council. 

 

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