Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Andreas Katsaniotis’ address at the Ministerial Session of the European Humanitarian Forum, titled «Improving compliance with International Humanitarian Law to safeguard the humanitarian space» (Brussels, 21.3.2022)
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
t is as simple as that: Today, we have war on European soil. Today, we have a humanitarian and refugee crisis on European soil. Again! Today, we must act, we must help! Today, more than ever, we need to refocus on International Humanitarian Law!
Though universally accepted, the rules of the four Geneva Conventions on International Humanitarian Law, are often disregarded and violated on the ground. Is this lack of respect for IHL the one and only issue? No. We also have lack of appropriate mechanisms for monitoring and promoting compliance with its norms as well.
Increasing reports of attacks on civilians, humanitarian and medical workers, as well as on civilian facilities, such as hospitals and schools, demonstrate in the most dramatic terms the urgent need to preserve and protect the humanitarian space. The latter, far from being an abstract concept, must be concretely identified and defined in each situation of armed conflict, taking into account the needs of people suffering the brutal and painful consequences of war.
Greece has always been a reliable and trustworthy supporter of IHL. Side by side with the EU and so many others, we believe we have a key role to fulfill in safeguarding humanitarian space through improving compliance with IHL. States have, pursuant to common Article 1 of the four Geneva Conventions, the obligation to respect and ensure respect for IHL in all circumstances.
Moreover, according to its founding Treaties, the Union’s action on the international scene must be guided by respect for human dignity, the principles of equality and solidarity, and respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law, including International Humanitarian Law.
In light of the above, it is of outmost importance to take concrete steps, as laid down in the Council Conclusions of 20 May 2021, to strengthen the existing IHL compliance framework.
Within this context, we must seek to take full advantage of the means of action, provided for in the EU Guidelines on promoting compliance with IHL. These guidelines, adopted by the Council in 2005, and updated in 2009, offer a broad set of tools at our disposal to promote compliance with IHL, including, among others: Accountability for serious breaches of IHL and help victims of atrocities to achieve justice. Regarding in particular, accountability and the fight against impunity, we cannot but highlight the crucial role of the ICC, the only permanent, treaty-based criminal Court, the work of which Greece, together with its ΕU partners, fully, and consistently supports from the very first day.
To conclude, in the face of the challenges posed by present-day armed conflicts, it is time for Member States and the EU to stand up and take action to ensure better compliance with IHL and, thus, safeguard a humanitarian space in which persons in need receive protection and assistance, while humanitarian actors are granted safe access to fulfill their mandate.
I thank you.