IHL and Humanitarian Action for Peace: Protecting People, Building Futures

With the number, length and severity of conflicts increasing, civilians remain the first victims of wars. The number of civilian casualties in armed conflicts in 2024 increased by 40% compared to 2023 according to the UN, not to mention impacts
on mental and physical health as well as gender-based violence. This is particularly alarming considering only a handful of conflicts receive attention from the international community and media, whereas the suffering experienced by most civilians affected by armed conflict is neglected.

As peacebuilding is inherently political, and the protection of civilians- under International Humanitarian Law (IHL)- is by principle neutral, the two interventions seem antagonistic on paper. However, in reality, because all interventions in conflict settings inevitably influence local dynamics, it is crucial and possible to overcome tensions between peace efforts and IHL. Collaboration between actors involved in the protection of civilians and peace can reinforce each other’s purposes, goals, and outcomes.

This panel aims to explore the transformative impact that compliance with IHL can have on conflict dynamics, hence contributing to peacebuilding and post-conflict recovery. The discussion will explore concrete ways in which IHL engagements and peace initiatives can support each other for positive peace outcomes. It will also look at the type of collaborations between humanitarian and peace actors that can be established, such as the Peace and IHL initiative and partnership. This initiative is the successful outcome of increased efforts towards cross-sector collaboration, fostered by International Geneva.

Moderator:

• Dr. Cordula Droege, Chief Legal Officer and Head of the Legal Division , International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC)

Speakers

• His Excellency, Ambassador Ambassador Gustavo Gallón, Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office at Geneva Republic of Colombia
• Dr. Marko Rakovec, Director-General for International Law and Protection of Interests, Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Republic of Slovenia
• Itonde A. Kakoma, President & CEO, Interpeace
• Eva Svoboda, Director of International Law and Policy, ICRC
• Pishkafti Shokri, Head of Programme Iraq, Geneva Call