Mogadishu (ICRC) – The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) marked the 75th anniversary of the 1949 Geneva Conventions in Mogadishu, reaffirming the life-saving impact of international humanitarian law (IHL). When respected, IHL not only spares lives but also preserves human dignity, a message underscored at the event which brought together policymakers, academics, and ICRC officials to reflect on Somalia’s shared history in promoting the laws of armed conflict.
“For decades, the ICRC and the Somali Red Crescent have stood with the people of Somalia—through the Second World War, the Ogaden War in the 1980s, the civil war, and more recently, in the various conflicts across the country,” said Antoine Grand, ICRC’s head of delegation in Somalia. “These have been violent and painful periods in the country’s history. These are times when neutral and impartial humanitarian action become a necessity. These are also times when respect for the the Geneva conventions and the law of armed conflicts matter most.”
Somalia was one of the first countries in Africa to ratify the Geneva Conventions, in 1962, soon after gaining independence. The Conventions, and IHL generally, regulate the conduct of armed conflict to limit the human cost of war. The rules contained in the Geneva Conventions protect the wounded, prisoners, and civilians caught in conflict, ensuring respect for human dignity even in the worst of wartime.
Although Somalia has yet to ratify the Additional Protocols that complement the Geneva Conventions, it has expressed its intention to do so.
“This anniversary is a critical moment for Somalia to reaffirm its commitment to protecting civilians in armed conflict” said Katherine Weir, ICRC’s legal advisor in Somalia.
The Geneva Conventions, adopted in 1949, have for long been universally ratified, signifying global consensus on the need for rules in warfare to mitigate its catastrophic impact on humanity. They form the foundation of IHL, which not only protects those not participating in hostilities but also governs the conduct of armed conflict, setting limits on the means and methods of warfare.
By upholding the Geneva Conventions and IHL, we ensure that even in the darkest of times, everyone, even an enemy, is seen as a human being, and that even wars have limits.
Find out more about the 75th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions – “The one set of rules we all agree on”
The ICRC in Somalia Through the Years
For further information, please contact:
Abdikarim Mohamed, ICRC Nairobi, + 254 770 171 756 (English & Somali)
Fadumo Ali Jama, ICRC Mogadishu, +252 611 006 330 (English & Somali)
Email somaliablog@icrc.org or visit our website: www.icrc.org
To preview and download the latest ICRC video footage in broadcast quality, go to www.icrcvideonewsroom.org