Second Round Table of Experts on Battlefield Laser Weapons (Geneva, 9–11 April 1991): Address by the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross

1991 ◽  
Vol 31 (283) ◽  
pp. 390-393
Keyword(s):  
United Nations ◽  
Round Table ◽  
International Committee ◽  
League Of Nations ◽  
Red Cross ◽  
Chemical Weapons ◽  
Real Analysis ◽  
Humanitarian Law ◽  
New Type ◽  
Direct Outcome

I should like to welcome you all to this important meeting which will consider the implications of the possible use in the future of a new type of weapon, and of a new method of warfare.The International Committee of the Red Cross has the tasks, inter alia, of working for the faithful application of humanitarian law and preparing for its development. Its aim is, and has always been, to attempt to reduce the suffering caused by war as far as possible in relation both to the methods of warfare and to the protection and assistance to be given to victims. Its concern as to the effects of weapons is an old one. I am referring in particular here to the efforts which the ICRC undertook formally to outlaw the use of chemical weapons. We published in February 1918 an appeal that strongly protested against the use of poison gas, referring in particular to the terrible suffering it inflicted on soldiers. The ICRC appealed to the sentiment of humanity of the governments of the time and subsequently sent letters to the League of Nations and to governments urging them to conclude an agreement prohibiting the use of chemical weapons. This eventually led to the signature of the 1925 Protocol. Since that time the ICRC hosted two expert meetings in the 1970s which studied a number of modern weapons. The direct outcome of those meetings was the Convention adopted in 1980 by the United Nations, commonly referred to as the Inhumane Weapons Convention. However, discussions begun during those expert meetings were not completed; in particular it was agreed that further research was necessary on the effects of certain new weapons, and that information on other weapons, including laser weapons, was so scanty and undeveloped at that time as to preclude any real analysis. The present range of the 1980 treaty is thus very limited and does not fully meet the concerns of experts as to the suffering that some weapons may unnecessarily cause.

UN Peacekeeping Operations: Applicability of International Humanitarian Law and Responsibility for Operations-Related Damage

2000 ◽  
Vol 94 (2) ◽  
pp. 406-412 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daphna Shraga
Keyword(s):  
United Nations ◽  
International Committee ◽  
Red Cross ◽  
International Humanitarian Law ◽  
Humanitarian Law ◽  
Peacekeeping Operations ◽  
Geneva Conventions ◽  
Un Peacekeeping ◽  
The United Nations ◽  
First Time

In the five decades that followed the Korea operation, where for the first time the United Nations commander agreed, at the request of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), to abide by the humanitarian provisions of the Geneva Conventions, few UN operations lent themselves to the applicability of international humanitarian law

Diplomatic Conference on the Reaffirmation and Development of International Humanitarian Law Applicable in Armed Conflicts

1974 ◽  
Vol 14 (156) ◽  
pp. 117-129
Keyword(s):  
United Nations ◽  
International Committee ◽  
Armed Conflicts ◽  
Red Cross ◽  
International Humanitarian Law ◽  
Humanitarian Law ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Geneva Conventions ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Recent Developments

The Diplomatic Conference on the Reaffirmation and Development of International Humanitarian Law Applicable in Armed Conflicts opened in Geneva on 20 February 1974. This Conference was convened by the Swiss Government and is being attended by plenipotentiary representatives of 118 States Parties to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949 and Members of the United Nations, as well as by many observers for intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations. The Conference will sit until 29 March to deal with two additional draft protocols to the Geneva Conventions, which the International Committee of the Red Cross has drawn up with a view to supplementing existing international humanitarian law in the light of recent developments in matters of war.

Conference of Government Experts: Second Session

1975 ◽  
Vol 15 (172) ◽  
pp. 359-361
Keyword(s):  
United Nations ◽  
Ad Hoc ◽  
International Committee ◽  
Secretary General ◽  
Armed Conflicts ◽  
Red Cross ◽  
General Assembly ◽  
International Humanitarian Law ◽  
Humanitarian Law ◽  
Conventional Weapons

In November 1974, the International Committee of the Red Cross sent governments a provisional mimeographed edition of the report on the work of the Conference of Government Experts on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons (Lucerne, 24 September-18 October 1974). This report was also sent to the United Nations Secretary-General, who transmitted it to the First Committee of the General Assembly, whose agenda contained the item: “Napalm and other incendiary weapons”. The printed edition was issued in January 1975, in English, French and Spanish, and was consulted by the Ad Hoc Committee on Weapons at the second session of the Diplomatic Conference on the Reaffirmation and Development of International Humanitarian Law Applicable in Armed Conflicts (Geneva, 3 February-18 April 1975).

Reaffirmation and Development of International Humanitarian Law Applicable in Armed Conflicts: Conference of Red Cross Experts

1971 ◽  
Vol 11 (121) ◽  
pp. 193-206
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
United Nations ◽  
International Committee ◽  
Secretary General ◽  
Armed Conflicts ◽  
Red Cross ◽  
International Humanitarian Law ◽  
Humanitarian Law ◽  
The Hague ◽  
The United Nations

On 1 March 1971, the Conference of Red Cross experts on the reaffirmation and development of international humanitarian law applicable in armed conflict opened at the Peace Palace in The Hague. The Conference, of which the significance was explained in our March issue, and which continued until 6 March, was convened by the International Committee of the Red Cross and organized with the valuable co-operation of the Netherlands Red Cross Society. Sixty-nine delegates, representing 34 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, participated in the session.The opening meeting, under the Chairmanship of the Jonkheer Kraijenhoff, President of the Netherlands Red Cross Society, took place in the main hall of the International Court of Justice, in the presence of H.E. Mr. C. H. F. Polak, Minister of Justice, Mr. V. G. M. Marijnen, Burgomaster of The Hague, Mr. Marcel A. Naville, President of the ICRC, Mr. Marc Schreiber, Director of the U.N. Human Rights Division, Mr. Nedim Abut, Under Secretary-General of the League of Red Cross Societies, and many diplomatic representativesA number of speakers took the floor. Mr. Marijnen bade the participants welcome; Mr. Schreiber presented the greetings and good wishes of the United Nations Secretary-General, underlining the excellent co-operation between the United Nations and the ICRC. The Presidents of the Netherlands Red Cross and of the ICRC each delivered an address, the main passages of which we reproduce below, not omitting to mention that Mr. Naville expressed the Geneva institution's gratitude to the Netherlands Red Cross which played a determining role in the organizing of the Conference.

UN Secretary-General's visit

1972 ◽  
Vol 12 (137) ◽  
pp. 441-441
Keyword(s):  
United Nations ◽  
Disaster Relief ◽  
International Committee ◽  
Secretary General ◽  
Red Cross ◽  
Director General ◽  
International Humanitarian Law ◽  
Humanitarian Law ◽  
The World ◽  
The United Nations

The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Kurt Waldheim, accompanied by the Director-General of the European Office of the United Nations, Mr. Winspeare Guicciardi, visited the headquarters of the International Committee of the Red Cross on 4 July 1972. He was welcomed by Mr. Marcel A. Naville, President, and several members of the Committee and Directorate.The UN Secretary-General and the ICRC President discussed in private the work being carried out by the ICRC for the development of international humanitarian law, an undertaking with which the United Nations is closely associated. They conversed also on the functions of their respective organizations in disaster relief. In addition, Mr. Naville informed Mr. Waldheim of the ICRC current activities in the world, particularly in the Asian Sub-Continent.

Interview with Abdoulaye Kaka

2016 ◽  
Vol 98 (903) ◽  
pp. 737-748
Keyword(s):  
Task Force ◽  
National Guard ◽  
Round Table ◽  
International Committee ◽  
Red Cross ◽  
Humanitarian Law ◽  
Lake Chad ◽  
North East ◽  
The Government ◽  
Police Forces

AbstractThe Review has chosen to open this edition with an interview with General Abdoulaye Kaka as a representative of State practice in counterterrorism detention. The journal chose to focus on Niger as a State that is affected by an ongoing armed conflict and which arrests, detains and tries suspected members of a non-State armed group under its domestic legal system.General Abdoulaye Kaka has been working as Head of Niger's Central Counterterrorism Agency (Service Central de Lutte Contre le Terrorisme) since 2014. He previously worked for the judicial police in Niger as head of the anti-gang section before opening the first office of the judicial police in Zinder. General Kaka worked for the United Nations (UN) police forces in Ivory Coast between 2006 and 2012, when he became the Commander-in-Chief of the Niger UN police forces.In his current role as Head of the Central Counterterrorism Agency, General Kaka oversees detention operations throughout the country, many of which involve suspected members of the group that calls itself Islamic State's West Africa Province (ISWAP), also known as Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'awati wal-Jihad or, as it is most widely known under its former name, Boko Haram.Niger has suffered the effects of the ongoing conflict between ISWAP and State forces in the Lake Chad region, resulting in casualties, arrests and repeated displacement among civilians. The government of Niger contributes troops to the Multinational Joint Task Force, which conducts operations against the group. At the same time, the government arrests and detains suspected members of ISWAP as part of its counterterrorism efforts. These detention operations are coordinated by the Central Counterterrorism Agency. Established in 2011, the Central Counterterrorism Agency, successor to the counterterrorism section of the judicial police, is made up of representatives from the three primary law enforcement organizations in the country – the national police, the national guard and the gendarmerie – and is principally responsible for counterterrorism investigations in Niger.In Niger, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) helps people affected by conflict in the south-east or fleeing fighting in north-east Nigeria. With the Niger Red Cross, the ICRC delivers aid, treats the wounded, provides water and supports farmers. The ICRC also monitors compliance with international humanitarian law, visits detainees and helps them to maintain contact with their families.The ICRC visits people held by the authorities in at least five places of detention in Niger. After the visits, the ICRC shares its findings on the treatment and living conditions of the detainees confidentially with the authorities and urges them to take steps to address concerns. The ICRC also helps bolster prison management capacities and health services for detainees through technical and material support, and round-table discussions on these topics. The ICRC helps detainees, particularly minors, maintain contact with their families. At the request of foreign detainees, the ICRC informs their families or consular representatives of their detention. Lastly, the ICRC covers transportation costs for security detainees returning home after their release.

New aspects of international humanitarian law

1977 ◽  
Vol 17 (199) ◽  
pp. 399-401
Author(s):  
Jean S. Pictet
Keyword(s):  
Round Table ◽  
Vice President ◽  
International Committee ◽  
Red Cross ◽  
International Humanitarian Law ◽  
International Institute ◽  
Humanitarian Law ◽  
Fourth Round

The International Institute of Humanitarian Law in San Remo held its fourth Round Table on Present Problems of International Humanitarian Law from 30 August to 4 September 1977. The meeting was opened by Mr. Jean Pictet, Vice-President of the International Committee of the Red Cross; some extracts from his address are given below.

scholarly journals Methodology of regulation of new types of weapons by means of international humanitarian law: emergence and development

2021 ◽  
pp. 42-45
Author(s):  
Ruslan Melykov
Keyword(s):  
Legal Regulation ◽  
International Committee ◽  
Red Cross ◽  
International Humanitarian Law ◽  
Humanitarian Law ◽  
International Treaties ◽  
Geneva Conventions ◽  
New Type ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Weapons Systems

The purpose of the article is to identify the methodology, used in international humanitarian law for the regulation of new types of weapons. Under the settlement of the objectives of the article, regulation is understood as the establishment of permits, prohibitions and restrictions on the use of this type of weapon in accordance with the basic principles of international humanitarian law. The article is methodologically based on the works of foreign and Ukrainian researchers, devoted to the problems of the settlement of new weapons systems in international humanitarian law. The empirical basis of the article was formed by international treaties in the field of international humanitarian law and codified customs of this industry, as reflected in the codifications, developed by the International Committee of the Red Cross. The article establishes that in international humanitarian law there is an obligation for states to assess the compliance of new weapons systems with international humanitarian law. At the same time, this norm has two disadvantages. First, it is too abstract, which allows states to avoid the obligation to assess each time with reference to the fact that a certain type of weapon does not fall under the definition of a new type of weapon. Secondly, international humanitarian law does not contain specific mechanisms to hold violating states accountable. It is concluded, that it is necessary to revise the current international legal regulation of the obligation to assess new weapons systems in the direction of its concretization and strengthening of responsibility for non-compliance. Corresponding changes can be made to the Additional Protocol to the Geneva Conventions of 1977, or introduced by adopting a separate protocol.

Reaffirmation and Development of International Humanitarian Law Applicable in Armed Conflicts - Conference of Government Experts: Second Session

1972 ◽  
Vol 12 (135) ◽  
pp. 316-325
Keyword(s):  
United Nations ◽  
International Committee ◽  
Armed Conflicts ◽  
Red Cross ◽  
International Humanitarian Law ◽  
Humanitarian Law ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Medical Transport

It will be recalled that a Conference of Government Experts, convened by the ICRC, met in Geneva from 24 May to 11 June 1971. At the closing meeting, the President of the International Committee announced that the ICRC had decided to convene a second session in the following year.This session opened in Geneva on 3 May 1972 and closed early in June. It was attended by about 400 experts delegated by seventyseven governments. The Conference was also followed by United Nations observers, nine technical experts in problems of medical transport, ten observers from non-governmental organizations, the League of Red Cross Societies, and several National Societies.

The ICRC Library goes digital

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-2
Keyword(s):  
International Committee ◽  
Red Cross ◽  
International Humanitarian Law ◽  
Humanitarian Law ◽  
Reference Library ◽  
Parallel Development ◽  
Humanitarian Action ◽  
The Core ◽  
The Past

The ICRC Library is home to unique collections retracing the parallel development of humanitarian action and law during the past 150+ years. With the core of these collections now digitized, this reference library on international humanitarian law (IHL) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is a resource available to all, anytime, anywhere.

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