national committees and similar entities on …

NATIONAL COMMITTEES AND SIMILAR ENTITIES ON INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAWGUIDELINES FOR SUCCESS

TOWARDS RESPECTING AND IMPLEMENTING INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW

REF

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NATIONAL COMMITTEES AND SIMILAR ENTITIES ON INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAWGUIDELINES FOR SUCCESS

TOWARDS RESPECTING AND IMPLEMENTING INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................... 5

1. MANDATE AND FUNCTIONS ................................................................91.1 WhatarethebenefitsforaStateinestablishing anationalIHLcommittee?..........................................................................................11

1.2 WhatfunctionsdoesaneffectivenationalIHLcommitteefulfil? .............. 12

2. COMPOSITION .................................................................................. 292.1 WhichStateagenciesshouldbepartofthenationalIHLcommittee? ......302.2 WhatrolecanNationalRedCrossandRedCrescentSocieties haveinsuchcommittees? ..........................................................................................33

2.3 WhatrolecantheICRChaveinnationalIHLcommittees? ...........................352.4 Whichotherbodiescouldpotentiallybeinvolvedwith thenationalIHL committee? ....................................................................................35

3. ESTABLISHMENT AND STRUCTURE .................................................. 373.1 Whatisthelegalstatusofthesecommitteesandhowdotheyfit intotheStatestructure? .............................................................................................37

3.2 WhatdoesthenationalIHLcommitteeneedtobeable todoitswork? ................................................................................................................41

4. RELATIONSWITHNATIONAL STAKEHOLDERS .................................454.1 WhyshouldanationalIHLcommitteeworkclosely withtheministriesrepresentedonit? ................................................................ 45

4.2 WithwhichotherauthoritiesshouldanationalIHLcommittee engagetoensureitsactivitieshaveanimpact? ................................................46

4.3 WhatistherelationshipbetweenanationalIHLcommittee andanationalhumanrightsinstitution?............................................................49

5. WORKINGPROCEDURES .....................................................................515.1 Whatworkingmethodscantheseentitiesusetooperate moreefficientlyandaccomplishtheirmission? ................................................ 51

5.2 Whyisitimportanttomakethecommittees’workvisible andhowcanthisbeachieved? ................................................................................ 58

6. INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION ....................................................... 616.1 WhyiscooperationbetweennationalIHL committeesrelevant andhowcanitbestrengthened? .............................................................................61

6.2 HowarenationalIHLcommitteesinvolvedattheregional anduniversallevels? ................................................................................................... 65

ANNEXES .................................................................................................68Annex 1: Suggestedreading ............................................................................................68Annex 2: NationalIHLcommitteesvsnationalhumanrightsinstitutions ... 70Annex 3:Modelcompatibilitystudy ..............................................................................72Annex 4:Modelplanofaction ........................................................................................ 74Annex5:Modelworksheet ................................................................................................ 76Annex6:Modelannualreport ......................................................................................... 78Annex7: Modeltermsofreference................................................................................ 80

IntroductIon 5

INTRODUCTION

1 Formoreinformation,seeK.DörmannandJ.Serralvo,“CommonArticle1tothe GenevaConventionsandtheobligationtopreventinternationalhumanitarianlawviolations”,inInternational Review of the Red Cross,Vol.96,No.895/896,2015, pp. 707–736:https://www.icrc.org/en/download/file/17480/irrc-895_896-dormann-serralvo.pdf,allwebaddressesaccessedNovember2018.

Since the First Geneva Convention was adopted in 1864, internationalhumanitarian law (IHL) has developed steadily as a body of internationallawandbecomequitecomplexintheprocess.Itsconventions,protocolsandcustomaryrulesencompassawiderangeofsubjects,fromtheprotectionofthesickandwounded,thosewhodeliverhealth-careservices,peopledeprivedoftheirlibertyandallciviliansandcivilianobjects,includingculturalproperty,totherestrictionorprohibitionofspecifictypesofweaponsandmethodsofwarfare.

ForIHLrulesandprincipleseffectivelytoaffordprotectioninarmedconflict,theyneedtoberecognized,known,implementedandcompliedwith,whenandwheretheyapply.WhilecompliancewithIHListheprimaryresponsibilityof parties to an armed conflict – both States and non-State entities,includingarmedgroupsinvolvedinanon-internationalarmedconflict–theresponsibilityforensuringitsfullimplementationprimarilyrestswithStates.This responsibility is emphasized inArticle 1 common to the fourGenevaConventionsandArticle1(1)ofAdditionalProtocol Iof8 June1977,whichprovidethatHighContractingPartiesareboundto“respectandtoensurerespect”fortheirprovisions“inallcircumstances”.1

Accordingly, Statesmust take actiondomestically to incorporate IHL intolaws, regulations and policy directives, ensure that the armed forces andothernationalstakeholdersunderstandandrespecttherules,andestablishmechanismsthatwillensurerespectforthelawandappropriatehandlingofviolations,whentheyoccur.Giventhebroadrangeofissuesassociatedwiththisresponsibility,coordinationamongdifferentgovernmentagenciesandsectors,thearmedforcesandcivilsocietyisessential.

Tofacilitatethisprocess, itcanbeusefultocreateadedicatedworkingorexpertgroup,orsimilarbody–oftencalleda“nationalIHLcommitteeorcommission”(forthepurposeofbrevity,theterms“nationalIHLcommittee”

https://www.icrc.org/en/download/file/17480/irrc-895_896-dormann-serralvo.pdf

https://www.icrc.org/en/download/file/17480/irrc-895_896-dormann-serralvo.pdf

6 nAtIonAL coMMIttEES And SIMILAr EntItIES on IntErnAtIonAL HuMAnItArIAn LAW

or“committee”areusedthroughoutthisreporttodescribeallsuchentities).Itsworkandcontributioncanberelevantinavarietyofcircumstances,whetheracountryisatpeace,emergingfromconflict,stillaffectedbyhistoricalconflictorinvolvedinoneormorecurrentarmedconflicts.Manysuccessfulnationalstructuresareproof that if they functionefficientlyandhave therequiredcapacities,theycanbeofconsiderablehelptoStatesinimplementingtheircommitmentsunderIHLandachievingpolicyobjectivesinthisarea.ForafulllistofthenationalIHLcommitteesaroundtheworld,pleaseseethededicatedICRCwebpage.2

The26th InternationalConferenceof theRed CrossandRed Crescentandsubsequent International Conferences encouraged the establishment ofnational IHL committees.3 The International Committee of the Red Cross(ICRC)promotesandsupportsthisprocessthroughitsGeneva-basedAdvisoryServiceonIHL.ClosecooperationwiththesecommitteesisanessentialandintegralpartoftheworkoftheAdvisoryServiceanditsworldwidenetworkof legaladvisers.TheServicealsodevelopsguidanceandtechnicaltoolstosupportandfacilitatethefunctioningandworkofnationalIHLcommittees,supportsinformationexchangeontheseentities’activitiesandachievements,andfacilitatespeer-to-peerexchangesandcooperationbetweencommitteesfromdifferentcountriesandregions.

ThepresentdocumentaimstoprovideexistingnationalIHLcommitteeswithguidanceonwaystobeefficientandwell-functioning,inordertoincreasetheimpactoftheireffortstohaveIHLimplementedandrespectedintheirrespectivecountriesandbeyondtheirborders.Furthermore,itaimstosupporttheestablishment,asappropriate,offurthersuchentitiesandhelpnationalauthoritieswiththattask.

2 Someoftheexamplesinthisdocumentaretakenfromthistable,whichalsolistsmanyexamplesoftheactivitiesandcompositionofnationalIHLcommitteesaroundtheworld:https://www.icrc.org/en/document/table-national-committees-and-other-national-bodies-international-humanitarian-law

3 26thInternationalConferenceoftheRed CrossandRed Crescent:Resolution 1,Annex II:MeetingoftheIntergovernmentalGroupofExpertsfortheProtectionofWarVictims,Geneva,23–27January1995:Recommendations:https://www.icrc.org/eng/resources/documents/resolution/26-international-conference-resolution-1-1995.htm

https://www.icrc.org/eng/resources/documents/resolution/26-international-conference-resolution-1-1995.htm



IntroductIon 7

Its content draws heavily on the discussions and recommendations fromvariousmeetingsatregionalorsubregional levels,aswellastheuniversalmeetingsheldinGenevain2002,2007,2010and,mostrecently,2016,4duringwhichtheroleofnationalIHLcommitteesandtheiroperatingmodelswerediscussedandrelevantStates’practiceshared.

It supplements similar tools published previously by the ICRC AdvisoryServiceonIHL,particularlythefollowing:“Guidingprinciplesconcerningthestatusandmethodsofoperationofnationalbodiesfortheimplementationofinternationalhumanitarianlaw”;5“PracticaladvicetofacilitatetheworkofNationalCommitteesoninternationalhumanitarianlaw”;6andThe Domestic

Implementation of International Law: A Manual.7

Theseandothertechnicaldocuments,includingmodellaws,producedbytheICRCAdvisoryServicemaybeconsultedontheICRCwebsite.8

4 ICRC,Enhancing Protection in Armed Conflict through Domestic Law and Policy: Conference Overview,ICRC,Geneva,2017:https://www.icrc.org/en/document/enhancing-protection-armed-conflict-throughdomestic-law-and-policy-overview-report

5 https://www.icrc.org/eng/resources/documents/misc/guiding_principles_national_committees.htm

6 https://www.icrc.org/eng/resources/documents/misc/5nsh9h.htm 7 ICRC,The Domestic Implementation of International Law: A Manual,ICRC,Geneva,2015,chapter2,page25:https://www.icrc.org/eng/assets/files/publications/icrc-002-4028.pdf

8 https://www.icrc.org/en/war-and-law/ihl-domestic-law

Through its Advisory Service on international humanitarian law, the InternationalCommitteeoftheRedCrossworksonaregularbasiswith national IHL committees. It also stands ready to assist and provide furtherinformationtoStatesinterestedinformingcommittees.

Itmaybecontactedthroughitsnetworkofregionallegaladvisersor at ICRCHQinGeneva,atthefollowingaddress:AdvisoryServiceon IHL,InternationalCommitteeoftheRedCross,19AvenuedelaPaix,1202Geneva,SwitzerlandTel:+41227346001Fax:+41227332057Email:[email protected]

https://www.icrc.org/en/document/enhancing-protection-armed-conflict-throughdomestic-law-and-policy-overview-report



https://www.icrc.org/eng/resources/documents/misc/guiding_principles_national_committees.htm


https://www.icrc.org/eng/resources/documents/misc/5nsh9h.htm

https://www.icrc.org/eng/assets/files/publications/icrc-002-4028.pdf


https://www.icrc.org/en/war-and-law/ihl-domestic-law

MAndAtE And functIonS 9

1. MANDATE AND FUNCTIONS

Themandates,structuresandworkproceduresofnationalIHLcommitteesvaryfromoneStatetoanother.TheirdiversityreflectseachState’sspecificcircumstances and particularities. Indeed, there is considerable flexibilityintermsoftheroleandcharacteristicsofanationalbodydedicatedtoIHL.NeithertheGenevaConventionsnortheirAdditionalProtocolsrequiresuchabodytobesetup,soitisentirelyuptotheStateconcernedtodeterminehowitiscreated,whatfunctionsandpowersithas,andwhoitsmembersare.

NationalIHLcommitteesaregenerally–thoughnotexclusively–linkedtotheexecutivebranchofgovernmentandtheyactasanadvisorybodytotheirgovernmentonmatterspertainingtoIHL.TheyalsotakepartineffortsandpromotestrategiestospreadknowledgeonIHL;ensurecoordinationofrelatedquestionsandinitiatives;proposetheratificationof/accessiontohumanitariantreaties;evaluatetheexistinglegalframeworkinlightofobligationsstemmingfromIHL;proposelegislative,administrativeandothermeasures;andpromoterespectforthelaw.Overtheyears,theseentitieshave,inagrowingnumberofcontexts,becomeanintegralpartoftheircountry’sgovernmentalarchitecture,regularlycarryingoutactivitiesandplayingarecognizedandwell-acceptedrole.OthershaveacquiredanadvisoryfunctioninrelationtoallissueslinkedtoIHLandotherrelevantinternationalnorms.

Overall, their role amounts to the pursuit of creating a national system –normativeandpolicy-led–whichensuresthatthelawisknownandabidedbywhenandwhereitapplies,andthatviolationsthereofarepreventedand,whentheyoccur,suppressed,includingthroughcriminallawandprocedure.


things to consider

• EstablishinganationalIHLcommitteeand/orstrengtheningtheroleandfunctionalityofanexistingonecanhavemultiplebenefitsforaState;in particular,itreflectsitscommitmenttoIHLbydemonstratingthatit is takingstepstowardsfulfillingitsfundamentalobligationtorespectandensurerespectforIHL.

• StatesthathavenotyetcreatedanationalbodydedicatedtoIHLmightexplorethepossibilityofdoingso.

• TheworkofanationalIHLcommitteecanberelevantinavarietyof circumstances,whetheracountryisatpeaceorinvolvedinarmedconflict,emergingfromconflictorstillaffectedbyhistoricalconflict.

• AnationalIHLcommitteeshouldberequiredandauthorizedtopromote,adviseand/orcoordinateallmattersrelatingtothenationalimplementationofIHL,aswellastopromotecompliancewithanddevelopmentofIHL.

• AnationalIHLcommitteeshouldhaveastrongyetflexiblemandatethatincludestherighttoofferitsexpertadviceproactivelyandenablesit to takecontext-specifichumanitarianneeds,concernsandinterestsintoaccountinitseffortsandwork.


1.1 WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS FOR A STATE IN ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL IHL COMMITTEE?

EnsuringIHLisimplementedeffectivelyandrespectedproperlyiscomplexandcoversabroadrangeofissuesandareas.9Itrequiresthecollaborationofdifferentgovernmentagenciesandothernationalstakeholders,includingthearmedforcesandcivilsociety.CreatinganationalIHLcommitteecanhavemultiplebenefitsforaState,internallyandexternally:

• ItimplementsaState’scommitmenttofulfillingitsfundamentalobligationstorespectandensurerespectforIHL,andsignals,externally,thepoliticalwilltodoso.

• Itscross-cuttingnaturecanensurethatIHLandrelatedobligationsaregivendueconsiderationwithintheState’spoliticalagendaandpolicies,andthatauthoritiesaddressrelatedissuesinatimelyfashion.

• ItcanhelpcreateanenvironmentthatfavoursthenationalimplementationofIHLandotherrelevantinternationalnorms,andthatenhancesknowledgeofandrespectforthelaw.

• IthelpstheStatefulfilitsIHL-relatedcommitmentsandachievepolicyobjectivesinthisarea,anditreinforcestheimportanceofa“wholeof government”approachtoIHLimplementation.

9 FormoreinformationontheobligationtoimplementIHL,seeICRCAdvisoryServicefactsheet,Implementing International Humanitarian Law: From Law to Action,2002: https://www.icrc.org/en/download/file/5450/implementing_ihl.pdf;seealso:ICRC, The Domestic Implementation of International Law: A Manual,ICRC,Geneva,2015:https://www.icrc.org/eng/assets/files/publications/icrc-002-4028.pdf

The main reason behind the establishment of the national committee on IHL structure in Iraq was to put the Geneva Conventions and the obligations of the State of Iraq into play. The Government wanted these obligations to be executed and was trying to find the right venue to be the leading force in fulfilling them.

— Dr Bassim, member of Iraqi General Secretariat for the Council of Ministers and chair

of the country’s national IHL committee

https://www.icrc.org/en/download/file/5450/implementing_ihl.pdf



• Itprovidesaplatformforcollaborationbetweendifferentnationalstakeholders,andforstrengtheningtheconnectivityandefficiencyofgovernmentagenciesandotherstakeholdersconcernedwithIHLissues,toensurethatthebestuseismadeofavailableresources.

• Itcanfacilitateexchangeonandcoordinationofthevariousstrategiesand initiativesadoptedbygovernmentagenciesinthefieldofIHLandrelatednorms.

• Itcanhelpsupport,trainandbuildthecapacityofthoseinvolvedinthisarea,particularlyinthepublicsector,andensurethelawispromotedamongthegeneralpublic.

• Itcansupportfurtherratificationof/accessiontoIHLinstruments,advancetheirenactmentaslawdomestically,andadvisethegovernmentorspecificagenciesonIHL-relatedmatters.

• Byprovidingexpertadvicetorelevantauthorities,itcanhelpensuretheStateisfullyinformedwhenparticipatingininternationalforums,initiativesandprocessesdealingwithIHLandrelatedissuesatinternationalandregionallevels.

• ItcanfacilitateexchangesandcooperationwithotherStatesintheareaof IHLbybeingpartofaworldwidenetworkofsimilarentities.

1.2 WHAT FUNCTIONS DOES AN EFFECTIVE NATIONAL IHL COMMITTEE FULFIL?

WhiletherolesofnationalIHLcommitteesvaryfromonecountrytoanotherandreflectthecircumstancesoftheirrespectivecountries,therearecore functions thatareessentialandcommontotheseentities(seepage14).

Several national IHL committeeshaveplayedanimportantroleinimplementingthepreventivemeasuressetoutinthe1954 Hague convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict and its Second Protocol –generallyregardedasthestandard-settinglegal instrumentsinthisfield.Thesecommitteessharedtheirexperiencesofdraftinglegislation,identifying,registeringandmarkingculturalsiteswiththeblueshieldoreven, insomecases,withnationalemblemscreatedforthisverypurpose.


• TheCommissiononInternationalHumanitarianLawImplementationinBelaruscarriedoutacompatibilitystudyin2010ontheHagueConventionof1954anditsProtocolsof1954and1999,asaresultofwhich,in2011,itsetaboutfillinggapsinnationallegislationandbringingitintoconformityby,amongotherthings,amendingthecriminalcodeandworkingwiththe MinistryofCultureonregistrationandmarkingprocedures.

• InIndonesia,thePermanentCommitteeontheImplementationand ResearchofInternationalHumanitarianLaw(PantapHumanitar)iscurrentlyworkingonabillontheprotectionof culturalpropertyfromtheeffectsofarmedconflictastheimplementinglegislationforthe1954HagueConventionanditsFirst Protocol(whichhave beenratified).

• ThenationalIHLcommitteeintheczech republicretainsprotectionof culturalpropertyasaregularitemonitsagendaandlobbieshardforthe inclusionofspecificculturalpropertyontheenhancedprotectionlist.Forexample,inJune2018,thecommitteeorganizedaseminarontheprotectionof culturalpropertyintheeventofarmedconflict,whichwasattendedbyanexpertfromUNESCO,the presidentoftheCzechRedCrossandrepresentativesofrelevantCzechministries,otherCzechauthoritiesanduniversities.

• ThenationalIHLcommitteeinromaniaalsofeaturesthenationalimplementationofthe1954HagueConventionanditsProtocolsonitsagenda.

• The BelgianInterministerialCommissionforIHLhassetupaspecificworkinggrouponculturalpropertyand,in2015,producedareporton the progressofnationalmeasurestoprotectculturalproperty.

• The MexicanInterministerialCommitteeonIHLhascontributedto thedraftingofalawandregulationsonprotectionoftheredcrossemblem.

• The MoroccannationalIHLcommitteeisworkingonadraftlawon the protectionof culturalpropertyintheeventofarmedconflict.

• The EgyptiannationalIHLcommitteeadoptedadraftlawon the protectionofculturalpropertyintheeventofarmedconflictthat is expectedtobesubmittedto theEgyptianparliament.

• The IcelandicnationalIHLcommitteestartedtheprocesstohavethe 1954 HagueConventionfortheProtectionofCulturalPropertyin the EventofArmedConflictimplementedbytheState.


Statepracticealsoshowsthat,often,theroleandfunctionsofanationalIHLcommitteeevolveovertime.Insomecases,thecommitteegraduallyexpandsitsfunctionsandassumesnewtasks.Othersdevelopstructuresthat,overtheyears,becomeanintegralpartoftheircountry’sgovernmentalarchitecture,withregularactivities,or theyacquirearecognizedadvisoryfunctionthatgoesbeyondthepromotionofIHLknowledgeanddomesticimplementationtoencompass,moregenerally,theimplementationofallinternationalnormsrelatingto theprotectionofpeopleandobjectsaffectedbyviolence.Somenational IHLcommitteesareactiveatafield-operation level, through thepresenceoftheirmembersatmilitarydecision-makingcentres,whileotherssupportcivilsocietyorganizationsbyprovidingtrainingforstaffonIHL.

Moreover,severalnationalIHLcommitteeshaveinthepastbeencalledontoperformspecificfunctionsortaskslinkedtoparticularaspectsofthecontextinwhichtheyoperate.

Examples of the mandates and activities of the following national IHL committees can be found in the International Review of the Red Cross, Vol. 96, no. 895/896, december 2015:Mexico’s Interministerial committee on IHLBelgium’s Interministerial commission for Humanitarian Law Peru’s national committee for the Study and Implementation of International Humanitarian Law

1.2.1 CorefunctionsMost existing national IHL committees act as advisory bodies to theirgovernmentsonmatterspertainingtoIHL.TheirpurposeistoensurethatIHLasawhole,includingdevelopmentsthereof,istakenintoaccountbythenationalauthorities, thatknowledgeof it iswidespreadamongthosewithrelatedresponsibilitiesandthatitisimplementedeffectivelywithinnationallawandpolicy.Generally, these committeesdonothavedecision-makingpower,noraretheyentrustedwithjudicialorsemi-judicialfunctions.

https://www.icrc.org/en/international-review/article/work-mexicos-interministerial-committee-international-humanitarian-law

https://www.icrc.org/en/international-review/article/belgiums-interministerial-commission-humanitarian-law-playing-key-role

https://www.icrc.org/en/international-review/article/perus-national-committee-study-and-implementation-international



Tofulfilitsmandateefficiently,anationalIHLcommitteeshouldbevestedwithsufficientauthorityandpowerstodothefollowing.

• Promote and facilitateThe principal purposes of a national IHL committee are: to promote andfacilitate the ratification of and/or accession to humanitarian treaties;to promote and support their implementation; and to work towards theharmonizationofnationallegislation,regulationsandpracticewiththeIHLinstrumentstowhichtheStateisaparty.10

10 See,forexample,theworkoftheBelgianInterministerialCommissionforIHL: http://cidh.be/sites/default/files/27F%20Protection%20des%20biens%20culturels.pdf andhttps://cidh.be/fr/composition-et-structure

In terms of domestic implementation of IHL, other aspects addressedby national IHL committees include the protection of the red cross, redcrescentandredcrystalemblems,criminalprosecutionofviolationsofIHL,implementationoftheICCStatuteandadoptionofenablinglegislationfortheGenevaConventionsandtheirAdditionalProtocols.Forexample:

• The IndonesiannationalIHLcommitteeplayedakeyroleinpassingthatcountry’sLawonRedCrossAffairsinDecember2017.Thislegislationregulatestheuseoftheemblems.ThenationalIHLcommitteecoordinatedwiththerelevantgovernmentagenciesandthearmedforcesduringthedeliberationofthebill.

• The IcelandicnationalIHLcommitteeinitiatedandpursuedadraftbilltoincorporateprovisionsregardingviolationsofIHLintotheGeneralPenalCode.

• The SloveniannationalIHLcommitteeiscurrentlyworkingon emblem-relatedlegislation.

Thanks to the efforts of Belarus’s national commission, Belarus is a party to most IHL treaties.

– Jaroslav Budnik, secretary of the Commission on International Humanitarian Law Implementation, Belarus

http://cidh.be/sites/default/files/27F%20Protection%20des%20biens%20culturels.pdf

https://cidh.be/fr/composition-et-structure


• InBangladesh,thenationalIHLcommittee,immediatelyafteritwasestablished,initiatedseveralimplementationprocesses,rangingfrompolicydiscussionstotechnicallegislativedraftingsessions.ThecommitteeiscurrentlysupportingtheprocesstoimplementtheAnti-PersonnelMineBanConventionandtoupdatethelegislationthatimplementedthe GenevaConventionsinBangladesh.

• The GeorgianNationalInter-AgencyCommissionontheImplementationofIHLhassetupaworkinggrouptooverseeimplementationoftherecommendationsofthe2017IHLcompatibilitystudycommissionedbytheICRC,which,inter alia,dealwithcriminalprosecutionofIHLviolationsandadoptionofenablinglegislationfortheGenevaConventionsandtheirAdditionalProtocols.

• The ArgentinianCommitteefortheImplementationofIHLhasbeeninvolvedinidentifying32culturalpropertysitesthathavebeenmarkedwiththeblueshield.

• The MexicanInterministerialCommitteeonIHLhasidentifiednineculturalpropertysitesformarkingwiththeblueshield.

• The uAE’snationalIHLcommitteeadoptedFederalDecreeNo.12/2017oninternationalcrimes.ThelawgrantstheuAEnationalcourtsthe jurisdictionto prosecuteperpetratorsofthecrimeofgenocide,crimesagainsthumanity,warcrimesandcrimesofaggression.Thelawenteredinto forceon18 September2017.

• The EgyptiannationalIHLcommitteeparticipatedindraftinglawsontheprotectionof emblemsandoninternationalcrimes.ThesetwodraftlawsareexpectedtobesubmittedtotheEgyptianparliament.

• The MoroccannationalIHLcommitteesubmittedadraftlawthatincludesamendmentsto thecriminalcodetoincludegenocide,crimesagainsthumanityandwarcrimes.

• InMadagascar,thenationalIHLcommitteesubmittedabillonprotectionoftheemblem.

• The BelarusiannationalIHLcommitteesupervisedandconductedworkontheadoptionofnationallawontheemblemin1999anditslateramendment.Ithasalsofullysupervisedthenationalcriminalcodesinceitscreationand beeninvolvedinpreparationsforallmodificationstoit,withregardto bringingitintolinewithIHLtreaties.


• The MoldovanNationalIHLImplementationCommissionoversawtheadoptionofthelawontheprotectionoftheemblemin1999.It hasalsofullysupervisedthenationalcriminalcodesinceits creationandbeeninvolvedinpreparationsforallmodificationstoit,withregardtobringingitintolinewithIHLtreaties.

• Study and evaluate AnationalIHLcommitteeshouldbeentitledandhavethecapacitytostudyandassessthenationallegalsystem(includingdomesticlawsandregulations,judicialdecisionsandadministrativeprovisions,aswellaspolicydirectives)inlightofexistingIHLandrelatedinstruments,and,inparticular,theobligationsstemmingfromthosetowhichthecountryisaparty.Itshouldalsohavethepowertostudy,assessandprovideitsopinionandadviceonanygovernmentalinitiativeorproposedaction,includinglegislativeproposalsanddraftbills,thathavealinktoorpotentialimpactonIHL.

• Spread knowledge/disseminateAs the 2016 Commentaries to Geneva Convention I state, “The task ofdissemination is a legal obligationunder theGenevaConventions, and itsinclusionwasbasedontheconvictionofthedraftersthatknowledgeofthelawisanessentialconditionforitseffectiveapplication.Whileitisnowrecognizedthat knowledge of the law alone will not prevent violations, spreadingknowledgeofthelawisunderstoodtobean‘importantelementofanystrategyaimedatcreatinganenvironmentconducivetolawfulbehaviour’.”11

Itisthusofparticularimportancethatcivilianandmilitaryauthoritieswithresponsibilityforensuringthelawisappliedandrespectedknowitscontentandtheobligationsitimposesonthem.Equally,thegeneralpublicshouldbefamiliarwiththebasicrulesandprinciplesofthisbodyoflaw.

ThenationalIHLcommitteecanplayakeyroleinspreadingknowledgeofIHLandinpromotingrelatedinitiativesandtrainingprogrammes.Tothatend, it should have the necessary authority to carry out studies, proposedisseminationactivitiesandorganizeand/ortakepartinsuchactivities.

11 ICRC,Commentary on the First Geneva Convention: Convention (I) for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick in Armed Forces in the Field,ICRC,Geneva/CambridgeUniversityPress,Cambridge,2016:https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/ihl/full/GCI-commentary,para2750

https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/applic/ihl/ihl.nsf/

https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/applic/ihl/ihl.nsf/


ItmayalsoencouragetrainingprogrammesonIHLtobesetupforspecificstakeholdergroups,suchasthearmedandsecurityforces,thegovernmentalsector,membersofparliamentandthejudiciary,aswellasthemediaorotherrelevantsectorsandgroups.

Furthermore, it may support the development and implementation ofeducationalprogrammesonIHLforschoolsandotheracademicandvocationalinstitutions,includinguniversities.

Peru’sNationalCommitteefortheStudyandImplementationofInternationalHumanitarianLawgainednationalrecognitionfor itsprofessionaltrainingactivities.

InMauritius,theMinistryofEducationisrepresentedonthenationalIHLcommitteeandregularlyreportsatcommitteemeetingsonthedisseminationof IHL across the island at secondary-school level. Training has a widegeographicalreach,asitisconductedbydistrict.

Intheunited Kingdom,themandateofthenationalIHLcommittee,createdin1999,istoencouragethedisseminationofIHLtothearmedforces,police,civilservants,teachers,thejudiciary,themedicalprofession,journalistsandothers,asnecessary.

InMadagascar, thenational IHLcommittee ismandatedbygovernmentaldecreetodisseminatethelaw.

The IraniannationalIHLcommitteedisseminatesbasicIHLprinciplesviathetrainingitprovidesonfundamental lawandprinciplesforbranchesoftheRed CrescentSocietyoftheIslamicRepublicofIranacrossthecountry.

Thenational IHL committee innepal has been involved in providing IHLtrainingforarangeofauthorities,includingthejudiciary,bothinthecapitalandalsoatdistrictlevel.

The Indonesian national IHL committee is authorized to disseminate IHLthroughtrainingprogrammes.ItoftencooperateswiththeICRCoruniversitiestoconducttrainingactivitiesorIHLdisseminationsessions.

InMalaysia,thesubcommitteeondisseminationworksprincipallywiththearmedforcesandpolice,providingsupportandadviceinthecontextofthecurrentreviewofmilitarydoctrineonlawenforcement.


The costa ricannationalIHLcommitteeorganizeditsfirsttwocoursesonIHLin2017,aimedatcivilservantsandmembersoftheacademiccommunity.

The EcuadoriannationalIHLcommitteehasorganizedanannualcourseonIHLforgovernmentofficialsforthelasteightyears.

The Syrian, Moroccan and Algerian national IHL committees have eachorganizedIHLtrainingfordiplomats,policeofficersandotherpublicofficialsintheirrespectivecountries.

The Jordanian, IraqiandSaudi ArabiannationalIHLcommitteeshaveorganizedseveralIHLtrainingsessionsforgovernmentofficialsintheirrespectivecountries.

The uAE’s national IHL committee has organized a biennial regional IHLcourseforArabdiplomatsforthelast12years.

• coordinate, facilitate exchange and support CreatinganeffectivenationalsystemandframeworktoenactinternationalobligationsarisingfromIHLandfacilitatecompliancewiththemisacomplexandongoingprocess,whichinvolvesmanyStatesectorsandareasofactivity.

ThenationalIHLcommitteecanprovideaplatformandprivilegedspacefordiscussionandcollaborationbetweendifferentnationalstakeholdersonIHL-relatedissues,andforcoordinatinginitiativesinthisarea.ItsinterdisciplinarynatureandthefactthatitbringstogetherrepresentativesfromthemainStateagenciesconcernedwithIHLallowsittoplayacoordinationrolethatothergovernmententitiesmaynotbeableto.CoordinationactivitiesmayextendtonationalimplementationofothertreatiescoveringissuesthatgobeyondthebasicscopeofIHLbutaredirectlyrelatedtoit,suchastheRomeStatuteoftheInternationalCriminalCourt,theConventionfortheProtectionofAllPersonsfromEnforcedDisappearanceorinstrumentsontheprotectionofinternallydisplacedpeople.

Thenational IHL committee canalso facilitate interministerial and inter-institutionalexchanges(suchasbetweentheexecutivebranch,thejudicialsectorandtheparliament)onthe IHL-relatedstrategiesand initiativesofthe various government agencies, helpmonitornewdevelopments in IHL(e.g. negotiationsforanewmultilateraltreaty)andcontributetodevelopingthe State’s position and policies with regard to IHL and related issues,includingrespectforIHLinspecificcontextsofarmedconflict.


ItcanalsosupportindividualsorpublicentitiesinvolvedinmattersrelatingtoIHL,particularlyrepresentativesofthecommittee’smemberministriesandspecificgovernmentalagencies.

• Propose and advise Tofulfilitsfunctionasatechnical“advisorybody”anationalIHLcommitteemustbeinapositiontoformulateandsubmittonationalauthoritiesadvisoryopinionsonquestionsandissuesrelatingtoitsareaofwork,particularlyinrelation to IHL implementationandharmonizationofnational legislation,includingcriminallaw,withrelevantinternationalinstrumentsandobligationsderiving from these. It should therefore be vested with the authority toformulaterecommendationsandproposalsinthisregard,andshouldhavetherightandpowertodosobothattheinvitationofitsgovernmentoraparticularpublicagency,andonitsowninitiative.

AnationalIHLcommitteeshouldalsohavetheflexibility– andcapacity –tocarryoutanyspecifictaskrelatingtoIHLthatmaybeassignedtoitbythegovernmentandtomakerecommendationsandproposalsinthatregard.Itmay,forexample,becalledontocontributeanIHLperspectiveindiscussionsand/ordecisionslinkedtootherrelatedbranchesofthelaw,suchashumanrights law, international criminal law or the development ofmeasures tocounteractterrorism.

• follow, monitor and reportA national IHL committee should be entitled and enabled to follow theimplementationoftherecommendationsit issuedandadvisoryopinionsitprovided,andtomonitordevelopmentsatnational,regionalandinternationallevelslinkedtoIHLorimpactingonit.

InSwitzerland,themainfunctionofthenationalIHLcommitteeistoprovideaplatformforcoordinationanddiscussionofinitiativesbydifferentnationalstakeholders.

InBangladesh,thenationalIHLcommitteehasprovedtobeaneffectiveforumforinterministerialcoordinationonmattersrelatedtoIHL.

Thenational IHLcommittee innepalhelpeddraft ahandbookon IHL forparliamentarians.


National IHL committees understand the degree towhich their respectiveStatesacceptandimplementIHLandrelatedtreaties,sotheyareparticularlywell placed to assess the scope of compliance with the law andmonitordevelopmentsandprogressintermsoftheimplementationofIHLinnationallaw,judicialdecisions,administrativeprovisionsandgovernmentalpoliciesorrelatedinitiatives.Theyshouldbeabletoproducereportsdetailingthestateofplayandprogressintheseareasforsubmissiontodecision-makers,specificgovernmentalagenciesorthepublicatlarge.TheymightalsobetaskedwithcollectingevidenceofIHL-relatedStatepracticeandfacilitatingthesharingofthatevidencewithintheState,inexchangeswithotherStates,orthroughsubmissions and contributions to regional or international organizations,includingtheICRC(e.g.submittingStatepracticeforinclusionintheICRC'sIHLdatabases).

AnationalIHLcommitteeshouldalsoreportonitsownactivities,achievementsandchallengesasawayofinformingtherelevantauthoritiesandthepublicatlargeofitsroleandtheworkithasaccomplished,andasanaccountabilitymechanism(seeSection5,WorkingProcedures).

1.2.2 Strengthenedfunctions • respected advisory role and a recognized right of initiativeInseveralcountriesthenationalIHLcommitteehas,overtheyears,acquiredanundisputedandstrongadvisoryrelationshipwithgovernment.Insomecases,theserelationshipsgobeyondcoveringpurelymattersofIHLtoencompass

The BelgianInterministerialCommissionforIHL,MoroccanandIraqi nationalIHL committees regularly provide advice, on their own initiative orwhenrequestedtodosobytheirrespectivegovernments,intheformofrecommen-dations,contributionstodraftbillsorreportsforinternationalforums.

TheNationalConsultativeCommissiononHumanRights(CNCDH)offrance has a specific subcommission in chargeof IHLmatters.TheCNCDHhas arecognizedroleasanadvisertothegovernmentonIHLandmatterstodowithhumanitarianaction.

TheNationalPermanentCommittee for the Implementationof IHLof thedominican republichasprovidedadvicetotheNationalCongress(legislativebody) with regard to including criminal repression of war crimes in thenationalcriminalcode.


theimplementationofandrespectfornormsofinternationallawaimedatprotectingpeople(andobjects)affectedbyviolenceorwhofindthemselvesinanemergencysituation.

AnationalIHLcommitteemayactasatechnicalIHLexpertcommitteeandpermanentgovernmentaladvisorybodythatactivelycontributestotheState’sIHLagendaandhumanitariandiplomacy.Assuch,itmayberegularlycalleduponforadviceandhavearecognizedauthoritytoparticipateinconsultationsandsubmitadvisoryopinionstonationalauthorities,includingparliament,thejudiciaryandotherrelevantagencies,onallissueslinkedtoIHLandrelatedinternationalobligations,andtoformulaterecommendationsandproposalswithregardtotheState’spositionandpolicies.

• Supporting the State’s participation in regional and universal meetings and forums where IHL and related issues are discussed, and facilitating exchange of information

NationalIHLcommitteesmaybeinvolvedingovernmentalconsultationstosupportinitiativesattheregionalandgloballevelstodevelopandenhancerespectforIHL.Often,theysupporttheirStates’participationinmultilateralmeetingsaddressingissuesrelatedtoIHLandhumanitarianactionortopicslinkedtothemorissuesthatareofrelevancefortheprotectionofpeopleandobjectsaffectedbyviolence.

ManynationalIHLcommitteesalsoplayanimportantroleduringpreparationsfor or in the follow-up period after the International Conference of theRedCrossandtheRedCrescent.Forexample,theymaygetinvolvedintheidentification, formulation and implementation of individual or collectivepledgesthatStatesareinvitedtomakeduringtheconference,and/orintheimplementationof theresolutionsadoptedby their respectiveStateat theconference.

Similarly, national IHL committees may facilitate their governments’attendanceatandcontributiontoregionalmeetingsandforums,includingbyprovidingmembersfortheircountries’delegationstosuchmeetings.Theycanalso:

• encouragetheirgovernmenttohonouranycommitmentsmadeto submitinformationandissuereports

• encouragetheirgovernmenttofollowoptionalreportingproceduresundertreatiestowhichtheyarepartyandreportrelevantinformation,particularlytotheinternationalorregionalorganizations


• helpprepareand/oreditreportsorotherdocuments,whetherby commentingondrafts,helpingtosourceorcollectinformationor coordinatingpreparatoryactivities

• prepareand/orfollowupresolutionsadopted,commitmentsmadeorreportssubmittedundertheauspicesofinternationalorregionalorganizations

• provideanyotherassistancethatmightberequired.

SuchcommitteescanalsocontributemoredirectlytotheexchangeofinformationbycooperatingwithsimilarcommitteesinotherStates(e.g.inthesameregionorsubregion)orwiththeICRC(seeSection6,InternationalCooperation).

AspecificworkinggroupwithinBelgium’sInterministerialCommissionforHumanitarianLawrespondstofollow-upsurveysseekingtoascertainwhatactions thegovernmenthas taken in viewof thepledges itmade and theresolutionsadoptedattheInternationalConference.

The National Committee for the Implementation of IHL in Argentina isinvolvedinfollowinguppledgesandrelayinginformationonresolutionstotherelevantorganizations.

TheNationalCommissionfortheImplementationofIHLinchileincorporatesthepledgesadoptedattheInternationalConferenceintoitsProgrammeofWorkandensuresfollow-upandimplementation.

Papua new Guinea’sNationalCommitteeonInternationalHumanitarianLawfacilitateditsgovernment’scontributiontothePacificIslandsRound-TableonIHLinNadiinOctober2017.Priortothatmeeting,thecommitteechairconvenedameetingofthecommittee,sothatagenciescouldprovideashortupdateonrecentdevelopmentsandfutureplanstostrengthenandimplementIHL.ThisinformedthePNGdelegation’scontributiontotheround-table,inparticularitsupdateondevelopmentsinnationaljurisdiction.

Australia’s national IHL committeewas established in 1977 andgenerallymeetsquarterly. In the lead-up to the32nd InternationalConference, thecommitteehelpedthegovernmentprepareitspositionsandstatements.Tothatend,thecommitteeinvitedrepresentativesfromgovernmentdepartmentsandagenciesthatwouldnotnormallysitonthecommitteebutthathadaninterest in the relevant theme.The committee intends to followa similarapproachinpreparingforthe2019InternationalConference.


• Fulfilling reporting obligations under international law Somenational IHLcommitteesareentrustedwithensuring that reportingrequirementsunder internationalorregional instrumentsaremetbytheirgovernments or are themselves called upon to contribute to such reportsdraftedbyotherStateagencies.

WhileneithertheGenevaConventionsnortheirAdditionalProtocolsentailaformalreportingobligation,otherIHL-relatedinstrumentsdo–forexample,the1954ConventionontheProtectionofCulturalPropertyintheEventofArmedConflict,the1997ConventionontheProhibitionoftheUse,Stockpiling,ProductionandTransferofAnti-PersonnelMinesandontheirDestruction,andthe2000OptionalProtocoltotheConventionontheRightsoftheChildontheinvolvementofchildreninarmedconflict.12

StatesmayalsobeinvitedtosubmitinformationonthefulfilmentoftheirIHL-relatedobligationsasaresultofreportsbytheUNsecretary-generalonspecificUNGeneralAssemblyresolutions.13AnationalIHLcommitteemaybecalledupontodraftorcontributetothedraftingofsuchsubmissions.

12 AtableoutliningthemainfeaturesofregularreportingrequirementsunderIHLandotherrelevantinstrumentshasbeenpreparedbyandisavailablefromtheICRCAdvisoryService.

13 AseriesofUNGAResolutionsentitled"StatusoftheProtocolsadditionaltotheGenevaConventionsof1949andrelatingtotheprotectionofvictimsof armedconflict"invitesthe UNsecretary-generaltosubmitareportonthestatusoftheAdditionalProtocolsandonthemeasurestakentostrengthentheexistingbodyof IHL,inter aliawith respecttoitsdisseminationandnationalimplementation.This reportisbasedoninformationprovidedbyMemberStates.

AllnationalIHLcommitteesintheArab StatessupporttheirStates’participationinregionalanduniversalmeetings,and forumswhereIHL issuesarediscussed,e.g.theInternationalConferenceof the RedCrossand Red Crescentandthe RegionalMeetingofArabGovernmentExpertsorganizedby the League of ArabStates.


• Addressing specific issues Inthefaceofspecifichumanitarianconcernsinagivencontext–e.g.alargenumberofmissingpersons,internallydisplacedpeople,presenceofmigrants –anationalIHLcommitteemaybeinapositiontoplayaroleinensuringtheimplementationoftheapplicablebodiesoflaw–IHLorothers –designedtoalleviatesuffering,and/or indesigningorcontributingtodesigningtherequiredresponse.

Guatemala’s Commission for the Implementation of IHL established aworkinggroupinlinewiththeICRC’srecommendationsonmissingpersonstocoordinateandparticipateinthedraftingoflegalconceptsinthisareaforsubmissiontothecountry’sparliament.

TheInterdepartmentalCommitteefortheImplementationofIHLinukraine hassupportedimportantlegislativeinitiatives,suchasdraftlawsonmissingpersons and onmine action, and the improvement of national legislationrelatingtointernallydisplacedpeople.

OneofthefunctionsoftheIranian nationalIHLcommitteeistofollowupspecific groups protected under IHL, such as refugees, displaced people,prisonersofwarandcasualtiesofwar(particularlyvictimsofweaponsofmassdestruction).

The national IHL committees of Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador promoteinternationalrulesandstandardsgoverningtheuseofforceinlawenforcement.

ThenationalIHLcommitteesin PeruandBelgiumareinvolvedinpreparingreportsrelatingtotheConventionontheRightsoftheChildanditsOptionalProtocol on the involvement of children in armed conflict, aswell as the1954 HagueConventionfortheProtectionofCulturalPropertyintheEventofArmedConflict,anditsProtocols.

InMalaysia, the national IHL committee’s subcommittee on means andmethods of warfare (known as JUKAM) has submitted reports on certainweaponstreaties,inparticularthoseconcerningchemicalweapons.


1.2.3 Context-specificfunctionsThemandateofanationalIHLcommitteeshouldbeflexibleenoughtoenableittoadaptandrespondtourgentcontext-specificneedsandconcerns,whennecessary,ortotakeonspecifictasksattherequestoftheirgovernmentorothernationalauthorityorontheirowninitiative.

Indeed,anumberofcommitteesbecamemoreactive,orwereevencreated,when faced with the unfortunate reality of an armed conflict in theircountry. Country-specific concerns that have been addressed by nationalIHLcommitteesincludeanti-personnelminesinTajikistanandpiracyintheSeychelles.

ThenationalIHLcommitteesinchile,thedominican republicandHonduras areinvolvedindraftingtheinformationtobesubmittedbytheirrespectiveStates to theUN secretary-general in fulfilment of theUNGAResolutionsonthestatusoftheAdditionalProtocolstotheGenevaConventionsontheprotectionofvictimsofarmedconflict.

Iraq’snationalIHLcommitteeisanexampleofanewcommitteeestablishedinacountrythathasfacedaseriesofconflictsinrecentyears.Thecommitteewascreatedin2014byprime-ministerialdecisionno.58/2014.TheintensityofthefightagainsttheIslamicStategrouppushedtheIraqigovernmenttoexpedite theprocessofestablishing thecommitteebecauseof theneed toraiseawarenessofIHLamongtheStatecivilianandmilitarybodies,andtoemphasizetheGenevaConventionsandtheobligationsofIraqthereunder.Thestructureofthecommitteewasdeterminedanditsmandateactivatedbyministerialdecree(DiwaniOrderNo. 10 of 2015),whichexecutedtheprimeminister’sdecision.


• Providing legal support to military operations In some countries, national IHL committees have had a role to play ininfluencinghowtheirrespectivearmedforcesconductedmilitaryoperations.Thismayhaveincludedengagingtherelevantlevelsofthearmedforcesindialogueontargetingpracticesorontheneedeithertodeveloporimprovemilitary manuals and how IHL is integrated into military operationalprocedures. When military authorities are directly represented on thecommitteeorareassociatedwithitswork,thisrolecanbeeasiertofulfil.

• Discussing context-specific humanitarian issues AnationalIHLcommitteemayalsobecalleduponortaketheinitiativetotake part in discussing and providing expert advice on context-specifichumanitarian issues. The committee’s input could, for example, relate tothe respect and treatment afforded to persons deprived of their freedom,supporting timely and unimpeded access to and delivery of life-savinghealthservices,addressingtheconsequencesofinvoluntarydisappearances,supporting the handling of human remains in accordance with relevantinternational obligations, or supporting thenegotiation andadoptionof aheadquartersagreementorvisitingagreementwiththeICRC.

The Commission on International Humanitarian Law ImplementationinBelarus helped develop amanual by theMinistry of Defence obligingthemilitary to implement and complywith IHL, particularly in terms ofprohibitionsonmeansofwarfareandotheraspectsoftheconductofhostilities.

The SyriannationalIHLcommitteehasbeenorganizingIHLtrainingfortheSyrianarmedforcessinceDecember2017.

IHLtrainingorganizedbytheIraqinationalIHLcommittee– incoordinationwiththeICRC –involveslegaladvisersfromtheIraqiarmedforcesandthepopularmobilizationunits.

The MoroccannationalIHLcommitteeregularlyorganizesIHLtrainingfortheMoroccanarmedforces.


• Monitoring and documenting violations of IHL In some instances, the national IHL committee has been formally taskedwithmonitoringanddocumentingviolationsofIHL,andwithrecommendingwaystoaddressthem.TheICRCemphasizesthatthisisnotatypicalroleofsuchcommittees,whosepurpose is toactnotasa judicialbodybutasanadvisorybody.Ideally,aseparatebodywouldberesponsibleformonitoringandreportingonIHLviolationsas,ifthisweretobedonebythenationalIHLcommittee,itmightaffectitsrelationshipwithotherbodieswithmandatesinthisarea–forexample,commissionssupportingthecollectionofevidenceforwar-crime prosecutions or the judiciary– andmight be perceived asconflictingwiththenationalIHLcommittee’sprimaryfunction.However,ifaStateinsistsonitsnationalIHLcommitteehavingaroleinthisregard,theICRCrecommendsthatthecommitteemerelypresentadviceandrecommendationstotheprosecutorialandjudicialbodiesratherthanpronouncingonwhetherwarcrimeshavebeencommittedornot.

Atthespecificrequestofitsgovernment,onenationalIHLcommitteeengagedwiththeresponsibleauthoritiesinrelationtoanICRCrequestforaccesstoplaces of detention. Another national IHL committee accepted enquiriesfrom people looking for missing relatives and endeavoured to establishthewhereabouts ofmissingpersons by liaisingwith relevant governmentauthorities.

(As these activities related to the ICRC’s confidential and bilateral work, the names

of the countries involved have been omitted.)

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2. COMPOSITION

Having the right people in the right positions is crucial for the effectivefunctioning of a national IHL committee. Similarly, the competence andmotivationoftheparticipants,thetimetheyarepreparedtodevotetothecommitteeandthedegreeofflexibilityinhowthecommitteeisruncanallhaveadecisiveinfluenceonthesuccessofitswork.Asfarasthecomposition ofanationalIHLcommitteeisconcernedthereisnoonestandardmodel,asthespecificneedsandpoliticalenvironmentofeachStatemustbetakenintoaccountineachcase.

things to consider

• Tofulfilitsrole,thenationalIHLcommitteeshouldbesetupsoas toberepresentative,withamembershipcompetentinIHL-relatedissues.

• AllsectorsoftheStateconcernedwithIHLshouldbeeitherrepresentedonthecommitteeorinvolvedinitswork.

• Itsmembershipshouldhavethenecessarylevelofexpertiseandauthoritytomakecommitmentsontheprincipals’behalf.

• Theidealofabroadmembershipbase,whichincludesrepresentativesfromcivilsociety,shouldbebalancedwiththeneedforconfidentialityin itsdiscussions.

• Reducingmemberturnoverenhancesefficiency.


Allgovernmentalministries/agenciesconcernedwiththeimplementationofIHLmustberepresentedonthecommittee,abovealltheministriesofForeignAffairs,JusticeandDefence.InthecaseoftheMinistryofDefence,boththecivilianadministrationandthemilitaryarmshouldbeinvolved.TheministriesoftheInterior,Culture,HealthandEducation,plusothersasrelevant,shouldalsoberepresented.Thecommitteeitselfshouldbeattachedtotheministry/agencythatismostactiveintheimplementationofIHL.Itmayalsobeattached

2.1 WHICH STATE AGENCIES SHOULD BE PART OF THE NATIONAL IHL COMMITTEE?

• Governmental ministries and agencies

Themembership of the national IHL committee inMorocco includes theministriesofForeignAffairs,theInterior,Justice,HabousandIslamicAffairs,National Education, Higher Education, Scientific Research and Training,Health,Communication,Solidarity,FamilyandSocialDevelopment,Defence,Economy and Finance,Modernization of the Public Sector, aswell as theGeneralSecretariatoftheGovernment,NationalHumanRightsCouncil,RoyalGendarmerie,GeneralAdministrationonSecurityForces,SecurityAssistanceForces,CivilProtection,scholars,NGOsandtheMoroccanRedCrescent.

The Botswana Interministerial Committee on Treaties, Conventions andProtocols includes the ministries of Foreign Affairs and InternationalCooperation,theAttorney-General’sChambers,Defence,JusticeandSecurity,Finance,Culture,OfficeoftheOmbudsman,LocalGovernment,EnvironmentalAffairs,LabourandHomeAffairs.

ThechairmanofthenationalIHLcommitteeinIraqalsoservesintheGeneralSecretariatof theCouncilofMinisters– theexecutivebranchof the Iraqigovernment. Othermembers represent theministries ofDefence, ForeignAffairs,theInterior,Health,DisplacedandMigration,EducationandScientificResearch,aswellastheIraqiHighCommissionforHumanRights.Asbothpoliticalandmilitaryauthoritiesarerepresentedonthecommitteeitcanalsoinfluencelaw-making,policy-makingandmilitaryoperations.Furthermore,thepresenceofhigh-rankingIraqiofficialsamongthecommittee’smembersmakesthedecision-makingprocessmoreefficient.

InGeorgia, a representative of the National Security Council sits on theNationalInter-AgencyCommissionontheImplementationofIHL.

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totheNationalRedCrossorRedCrescentSociety,ifthatistheprimaryentityfordisseminationandotherIHL-relatedworkintheState.

Toensurecontinuity,itistheministries/agenciesthemselvesthatshouldbemembers of the committee rather than any particular individual(s). Whendesignatingrepresentatives,itisimportanttobearinmindthefollowingpoints.Ensurethatministerialrepresentativesaresufficientlysenior, withtheauthoritytotake decisionsonbehalfoftheministry/agencytheyrepresent,soastoincreasethechancesof thecommittee’s recommendations/advicebeing followedup.

Appointingveryhigh-level representatives isnotalways ideal.Whilesuchfigurescanfacilitatedecision-makingandenhancethecommittee’sauthority,theymaynotalwayshavetherequiredavailabilitytoattendregularmeetingsand take part in other committee activities. Committee members shouldpreferablybeofficialswithdirect responsibility for IHLand related issueswithintheirrespectiveministries/agencies.Ifthoseindividualsdonothavetheauthoritytorepresenttheirministries,theyshouldatleastbeinvolvedinthecommittee’sworkasspecialadvisers.Also,insomeinstances,severalsuchindividualsfromdifferent levels(i.e.politicalandoperational)ofthesameministry/agencymaytakepartinthecommittee’swork.

AnationalIHLcommitteemayholdformalplenarymeetings(whichrequirethepresenceofallcommitteemembers),duringwhichdecisionsaretaken,andworking-levelorgroupmeetings,duringwhichactivitiesarediscussed,preparedandcarriedout.Eachworkinggroup/subcommitteeshouldbechairedby the representative of the relevantministry/agency, i.e. the committeemembermostcloselyinvolvedwiththesubjectmatterorinpursuingthesetobjective.Workinggroups/subcommitteesmustonlyinvolverepresentativesfromtheauthoritiesconcernedwiththespecificissuebeingdealtwith,inordertoallowgovernmentalagencies,inparticular,tolimittheirparticipationtocommitteeproceedingsthatfallwithintheirareaofcompetenceandinterest.Forthesamereason,tasksandresponsibilitieswithinthecommitteeanditsworkinglevelsandgroupsshouldbecarefullyandclearlyassigned(seeSection5,WorkingProcedures).


• other branches/sectors of the State AnationalIHLcommitteemayalsoincluderepresentativesofthelegislativeandjudicialbranchesaspermanentmembers,orinvolvethemonanad-hocbasis,whenappropriate.

• other agencies and entities with responsibilities in the public sphere

AnationalIHLcommitteemightalsoincludeinitsmembershiprepresentativesfromotheragenciesorentitieswithresponsibilitiesinthepublicsphere,suchasspecificnationalstructures(e.g.civildefence,theombudsman,nationalUNESCOcommission,etc.)oratleastinvolvethemwhenissuesonwhichtheyhavespecificexpertisearebeingdiscussed.

The decree establishing the National Inter-Agency Commission on theImplementationofIHLofGeorgia providesthatthecountry’sparliamentshallalsoberequestedtoparticipateintheCommission.InadditiontodesignatedrepresentativesofrelevantkeyministriesandStatebodies,therepresentativeoftheGeneralProsecutor’sOfficeofGeorgiaisamemberoftheCommission.

costa rica’snationalIHLcommitteeincludesrepresentativesofthejudiciaryandlegislature.

Madagascar’snationalIHLcommitteehasparliamentariansonitsboard,aswellashumanrightsandcivil-societyrepresentatives.ThecommitteeisundertheauthorityoftheMinistryofJusticeandmagistrateshaveaseatonit.

ThenationalIHLcommitteeofSri Lankahaslegislativedraftersaspermanentmembers.

Innigeria,theNationalCommissionforRefugeesisamemberofthenationalIHLcommittee.

Intajikistan, themembershipof theCommissionon the Implementationof InternationalHumanitarianLaw includes theCommitteeonEmergencySituations andCivilDefence, and theNational Centre forAction onAnti-PersonnelMines.

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2.2 WHAT ROLE CAN NATIONAL RED CROSS AND RED CRESCENT SOCIETIES HAVE IN SUCH COMMITTEES?

WithregardtothedisseminationandimplementationofIHL, china’snationalIHLcommitteeactsasacoordinationmechanismforandprovidesadvicetogovernmentagenciesandthearmedforces,aswellastheRedCrossSocietyofChina.Italsocooperates,asnecessary,withotherorganizations,suchastheICRCandothernationalIHLcommittees.

TheRedCrossof theformerYugoslavRepublicofMacedonia isamemberofthatcountry’snationalIHLcommittee.Itprovidesthesecretariatforthecommitteeand,accordingtothecommittee’sinternalrulesofprocedureandworkingmethods,itsmeetingsareheldontheNationalSociety’spremises.

Incanada, theCanadianRedCrossprovidesthesecretariatforthenationalIHLcommittee.

new Zealand’s national IHL committee was established in 1980. TheNew Zealand Red Cross acts as the secretariat for the committee andparticipatesasafullmember.

TheMalagasyRedCrossSociety inMadagascar isapermanentmemberofthe country’s IHL committee andprovides expertise in the realmsof IHLdisseminationandmanagingnaturaldisasters.

The South African national IHL committee, which is structured as aninterministerialcommittee,recognizesthevalueofincludingthecountry’sNationalSocietyinitswork.

The LesothoRedCrossSocietyisapermanentmemberoftheLesothonationalIHLcommitteeandisusuallyrepresentedbyeither itscommunicationsordisaster-managementdepartment.Itprovideshumanitarianupdatestothecommittee.

In Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, tunisia, uAE and Yemen, theNationalSocietieshavebeenmembersof theircountries’national IHLcommitteessincethelatter’sestablishment.Ineachcase,theNationalSocietyparticipatesinalldiscussionsanddecisionsmadebythecommittees.


WhileStateauthoritiesbearthemainresponsibilityforimplementingIHLintheirterritory,NationalRedCrossorRedCrescentSocieties,intheircapacityasauxiliariestothepublicauthoritiesinhumanitarianmattersandonaccountofthevarietyofactivitiestheycarryout,playanimportantrolealongsidetheirgovernmentsinensuringrespectforIHLintheirrespectivecountries.ManyNationalSocietiesalsohelppromote,disseminateandimplementIHLaspartoftheirstatutoryresponsibilities,soitmakessenseforthemtocontributetoandbeinvolvedintheworkofthenationalIHLcommittee.

A National Society’s role in such committees may take different forms,including:providingthesecretariatforthecommittee;chairingthecommittee;contributingexpertisethroughadviceandmembership;participatingasfullmembers,observersorinanexpertcapacity,whenrequired.

Indeed,StateshavebeenactivelyencouragedtoassociateNationalSocietieswith such committees’ work – in Resolution 1 of the 26th InternationalConference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent and other resolutions ofsubsequent International Conferences, and in recommendations by theintergovernmental group of experts. The ICRC, it its “Guiding principlesconcerningthestatusandmethodsofoperationofnationalbodies for theimplementationofIHL”andPractical Advice to Facilitate the Work of National

Committees on IHL,makessimilarrecommendations.

InSaudi Arabia,thepresidentoftheSaudiArabianRedCrescentSocietyisalsothepresidentofthecountry’snationalIHLcommittee.InOctober2017,thecommitteeorganizedthefirstIHLtrainingsessionforgovernmentofficials.ThecommitteealsorepresentstheSaudigovernmentatmostrelevantregionalmeetingsandconferences.

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2.3 WHAT ROLE CAN THE ICRC HAVE IN NATIONAL IHL COMMITTEES?

To help ensure IHL is implemented effectively at the domestic level, theICRC, through its Advisory Service on IHL, helps States set up a nationalIHLcommitteeandmaintainsregularcontactwithexistingcommittees.Incountriesinwhichitmaintainsapresence,theICRCissometimesinvitedtobepartofthenationalIHLcommitteeorisassociatedinitsworkasanobserverorinanexpertcapacity.Insomecases,ithasastandinginvitationtoattendthecommittee’splenarymeetings.Itmayalsobeinvitedtoattendmeetingsandshareitsexpertiseorprovideadviceonanad-hocbasis.

2.4 WHICH OTHER BODIES COULD POTENTIALLY BE INVOLVED WITH THE NATIONAL IHL COMMITTEE?

Anational IHLcommitteeshouldbeable toconsultor involve in itsworkqualifiedprofessionals,suchaslegalspecialists,doctorsormilitarypersonnel,in order to benefit from their expertise. The committee could considerinvitingIHLspecialists fromuniversities (e.g. lawfaculties),humanitarianorganizations and other national agencies, as well as non-governmentalorganizations, either as fullmembers or on an ad-hoc basis, when theirexpertiseisrequiredandtheircontributionmightaddvalue.

new Zealand’snationalIHLcommitteeischairedbyanindependentexpertanditssecretariat isprovidedbytheNationalRedCrossSociety.TheICRChas a standing invitation to attendmeetings and provide updates on IHLdevelopmentsanditsownactivities.

TheICRChasobserverstatuson Brazil’s nationalIHLcommittee.

The ICRCattendsEgypt’snational IHLcommitteemeetingsasamember,underthatcountry’sDecreeNo.149/2000.


However,committeesmustbesurethattheparticipationofrepresentativesofcivilsociety(suchasNGOsorprofessionalassociations)asfullmembersofthecommitteewillcontributepositivelytoitslong-termworkandnotdeterfrankandeffectivediscussionamongmemberswhorepresentvariousauthorities.

Another possibility is to involve representatives of civil society in thecommittee’s activities on an ad-hocbasis, inparticularwhen it comes toconferencesandmeetingsonspecificsubjectsorexchangesofinformation.Whateverthecase,thecommitteemustreconcilethedesireforopennesswiththepossibleneedforconfidentialityinitsdiscussions.

cabo Verde’s nationalIHLcommitteeincludesrepresentativesfromreligiousinstitutions,governmentalandnon-governmentalbodiesworkingonbehalfofchildrenandadolescents,genderequalityandequity,peoplewithdisabilitiesandnon-nationals living inCaboVerde, aswell as the country’sNationalAssociationofMunicipalities,OrderofLawyersand tworecognizednativeexpertsonhumanrights.

Australia’s national IHL committee includes expert members (e.g. fromacademia,theMovement)andad-hocmembers(e.g.duringpreparationsforanInternationalConference,membersrepresentinggovernmentagencieswithaninterestintheconferencearetemporarilyco-optedontothecommittee).

Peru’sNationalCommitteefortheStudyandImplementationofInternationalHumanitarianLawincludesinitscompositiontheNationalCoordinatorforHumanRights–acoalitionofcivil-societybodiesthathelpsdefend,promoteandeducatepeopleonhumanrightsinPeru.

The GeorgianNationalInter-AgencyCommissioninvitesrecognizedacademicexpertsinpublicinternationallaw,IHLandinternationalcriminallawtojoinitsmembership.

The EgyptiannationalIHLcommitteemayassignanynationalorinternationalexpertstoitsmembership,andrequesttheattendanceofexpertsfromrelevantministriesandentities.

The french National Consultative Commission onHumanRights includesrepresentatives of ministries, civil-society organizations and individualexperts.

EStABLISHMEnt And StructurE 37

3. ESTABLISHMENT AND STRUCTURE

The status and structure of a national IHL committeewill depend on theconstitutionalstructureofandtheproceduresappliedbytheStateconcerned.Itcantakemanyforms,fromaninformalexpertgrouptoaninterministerialorinter-institutionalbodycreatedbyministerialdecreeorbylaw.GiventhatpromotingrespectforIHLand,inparticular,theimplementationofthislawatthenationallevelisanongoingprocess,anationalIHLcommitteeshouldhaveaformalstructuretoensureitsworkcancontinueovertime,irrespectiveofachangeingovernment.

3.1 WHAT IS THE LEGAL STATUS OF THESE COMMITTEES AND HOW DO THEY FIT INTO THE STATE STRUCTURE?

• Place in the State’s structure Since implementing IHL is primarily the responsibility of governments,nationalexpertagenciessetuptothisend,suchasanationalIHLcommittee,are generally linked to the executive branch of the State’s government.Dependingonitscomposition,thecommitteemayformpartofthegovernmentorbeinter-institutionalinnature,i.e.comprisingrepresentativesfromvariousStatepowers–executive,legislativeandjudicial.

AnationalIHLcommitteemayalsobesetupwithinaNationalRedCrossorRedCrescentSocietyorbeattachedtoit.

things to consider

• ThenationalIHLcommitteeshouldpreferablybelinkedtotheexecutivebranchofgovernment.

• Itshouldhavealegalstatusinordertobefullyeffectiveandable toplaytheroleassignedtoit.

• AnationalIHLcommitteemusthaveaformalstructuretoensureitcancontinueitsworkovertime.


Insomecountries,theroleofpromotingandadvisingonimplementingIHLatthenationallevelisassignedtothenationalhumanrightsinstitution.

• formal statusConferringformalstatusonthenationalIHLcommitteeisessential if it istoperformitsdutieswithauthorityandinthelongrun.ThelegalstatusofsuchcommitteeswilldependontheconstitutionalstructureofandproceduresappliedbytheirState.

AnationalIHLcommittee’sstatusismostcommonlyconferredbyexecutivedecree (such as a presidential decree, ministerial decision, governmentresolutionoragreement),andsometimesbylaw,amongotheroptions,e.g.thestatutesofaNationalRedCrossSociety,ifthecommitteeisestablishedwithinthestructureoftheNationalSociety.Theconferraloflegalstatusanditsformaldocumentationensuresthecommittee’spermanenceandcontinuityofitswork.

Insomecountries,thenationalhumanrightsinstitutionhasthecompetencetopromoteandadviseontheimplementation,atthenationallevel,ofbothinternationalhumanrightsstandardsandnormsandIHL,orspecificmatterspertainingto IHLareassignedto them. Insuchcases,aspecificsubgroup(suchasasubcommitteeorworkinggroup)issometimescreatedwithinthenationalhumanrightsinstitutionfordealingwithmatterslinkedtoIHLandhumanitarianaction.

Mexico’sInterministerialCommitteeonIHLwasestablishedbypresidentialdecreeanditsoperationisguidedbytheinternalregulationsthatarepublishedintheofficialgazette.

ThenationalIHLcommitteeinKenyawasestablishedbygazettestatus,aswerethoseinGeorgiaandtheformerYugoslavRepublicofMacedonia.

Thenational IHL committee inSri Lankawas establishedby aCabinet ofMinistersmemorandum.

ThestatutesoftheGermanRedCrossconstitutethelegalbaseoftheGerman nationalIHLcommittee.

The Zimbabwe Interministerial Committee for Human Rights andHumanitarianLawwascreatedbycabinetdecisionandhasestablishedanactivesubcommitteeonIHL.


Thecommonalitiesbetweenthesebranchesofpublicinternationallaw–theybothstrivetoprotecthumanlivesanddignity,andrequiresimilarbackingat the domestic level to be effective – can offer advantages in terms ofresourcesandsharedeffort,particularlyinsmallStates,wheretheavailabilityofexpertisemaybelimited.Nevertheless,thedifferencesbetweenthebasicfunctionsandcharacteristicsofeachinstitutiondopresentsomechallenges(seeSection4.3belowandAnnex 2: National IHL committees vs national human rights institutions).14

StatesshouldgivedueconsiderationtothesedifferenceswhenconsideringappointinganexpertbodyonIHL.Ideally,adistinctstructure,separatefromthenationalhumanrightsinstitution,shouldbecreatedtodealspecificallywithIHLpromotionandimplementation.Ifthatisnotfeasibleordesirable,atleastadistinctsubgrouporsubcommitteewithinthesinglenationalbodyshouldbecreatedtodealwithIHLandrelatedissues,toensurethenecessarydistinctionismadebetweenthetwofunctions.

14 Anationalhumanrightsinstitutionisgenerallydefinedasanindependentbodymandatedtoprotectandpromotehumanrights(civil,political,economic,socialand culturalrights).Aswellashumanrightseducationandmakingrecommendationson theimplementationofinternationalhumanrightsinstruments,includinglawreform,itscorefunctionsincludehandlingcomplaintsandhelpingbridgethe “protectiongap”betweentherightsofindividualsandtheresponsibilitiesof the State.AnationalIHLbodyis,commonly,partofthegovernmentandtaskedwithassistingandadvisingthatgovernmentonmattersrelatedtoIHL.


• chairpersonship

ThenationalIHLcommitteeisoftenchairedbyanofficialfromtheforeignministryoranotherministrywithIHLinitsportfolio.TheNationalSociety,asanindependentbody,mightbegiventheroleofchair.Alternatively,thechaircouldbeanexternalexpertonIHL.Theroleofthechairistoensurethatthemeetingtakesplaceandisrunefficientlyandinlinewiththecommittee’smandate.Thechairshouldbesomeonewiththeauthoritytoensurethattasksallocatedtothevariousmemberswillbefulfilled.However,heorsheshouldnotbesohigh-levelthatthenationalIHLcommitteeislikelytobetheirlowestpriorityandthereforetheynevercallameeting.

• Permanent secretariat

In Mexico, the chair of thenational IHL committee is held by a differentministryeveryyear.

Malaysia’s national IHL committee is chaired by theminister for foreignaffairs.

InLebanon,thedeputyprimeministeristhechair.

InAlgeria,theministerforjusticeisthechair.

InBahrain,theministerforjustice,IslamicaffairsandAwqf isthechair.

InEgypt,theminister–ordeputyminister–forjusticeisthechair.

InSyria,thedeputyministerforforeignaffairsisthechair.

InIraq,theassistantdirector-generalandheadoftheInternationalAgreementsdivisionoftheGeneralSecretariatfortheCouncilofMinistersisthechair.

InIndonesia, theMinistryofLawandHumanRightsactsasboththechairandpermanentsecretariatofPantapHumanitar,thecountry’snationalIHLcommittee.

The secretariat of Australia’s national IHL committee is the AustralianRed Cross.

InGeorgia,theNationalInter-AgencyCommissionworksundertheaegisoftheMinistryofJusticeandreportsannuallytothatministry.


Having an independent administrative team and permanent secretariatis essential to ensure the regularity and continuity of the national IHLcommittee’swork. It alsoneedsa facility inwhich themembers canholdmeetings–whetherthatspaceismadeavailablebytheministriesrepresentedonthecommitteeormeetingvenuesrotateorarechosenonanad-hocbasis.

3.2 WHAT DOES THE NATIONAL IHL COMMITTEE NEED TO BE ABLE TO DO ITS WORK?

• Availability of qualified representativesThenationalIHLcommitteehastomakesureitsmembershavethenecessaryknowledgeofandinformationonIHL.Wherenecessary,committeemembersshould receive training– for example, by attending courses given by thenationalauthorities (suchas thearmed forces), theNationalRedCrossorRedCrescentSociety,theICRCorspecifictrainingsessionsorganizedbythecommitteeitself.Newmembersshouldbefullyapprisedofthecommittee’sproceedingsandachievements.Onewayofensuringthis is toappointonecommitteememberasafocalpointforinternaltraining/informationprovision.

ThepermanentsecretariatofEgypt’snationalIHLcommitteeistheofficeoftheassistantministerforjusticeandhumanrights.

NationalIHLcommittees inIraq, djiboutiandKenyahaveallrecentlyruntrainingprogrammesfortheirmembers.

InMadagascar andcomoros, aworkshop is run each year to refresh theknowledgeofIHLcommitteemembers,togooveranynewdevelopmentsandconsiderrelevantnewtreaties.

The ICRC, at the request of the Interministerial Technical Committee onHumanRightsandHumanitarianLaw innamibiaand the InterministerialCommitteeforHumanRightsandHumanitarianLawinZimbabwe,providedaone-dayIHLtrainingsessionineachcountry–inFebruary2017andDecember2017,respectively.Duringthelatter,aplanwasadoptedforimplementingandpromotingIHLinZimbabwein2018.


• Sufficient human, financial and material resourcesThecommittees’advocacyandadvisoryworkdoesnot require substantialfunds.Nevertheless,itiscrucialthattheyhavethecapacity–human,financialandmaterial–tocarryouttheirtasksandmaximizetheirimpact.

Ideally, as soonasa committee is setup, thenationalauthorities, i.e. theministryoragencytowhichitisattached,shouldautomaticallyprovideitwithorganizationalresources(premisesforitsmeetings,aphotocopier,internetaccess,etc.)andaworkingbudgetthatallowsittocoveritsownrunningcosts(photocopies,mailandtelephone).Asthecommitteeismadeupofministerialand other governmental-agency representatives, it should be possible tosetup a systemwherebyworking expenses are shared, bydetermining atthe startwhatexpenseseachministryordepartment isprepared to cover(photocopying,humanresources,documentproduction,etc.).However,thepreferredoptionisforthecommitteetohaveitsownindependentbudgetorearmarkedfundingforitswork.

Since2010,theMinistryofJusticeinBelarus(whichisalsothesecretariatofthecountry’snationalIHLcommittee),togetherwiththeICRC,hasorganizedthebiennialMinskRegionalSeminaronIHLImplementation,inwhichallofthecountriesofeasternEurasia(includingtheCommonwealthofIndependentStates)participate.Those thathavenational IHLcommitteesusually sendmembers as delegates,while representatives of theministries of defence,foreignaffairsandjusticefromallofthecountriesalsotakepart.

Papua new Guinea’sNationalCommitteeonInternationalHumanitarianLawwasestablishedin2017.Initsfirstyear,itwasextremelyactive,meetingthreetimesanddevelopingaworkplan,whichprioritizedthreekeyIHLinstrumentsonwhoseratificationandimplementationthecommitteeintendstoworkwiththegovernment.Tostrengthenitscapacityforthiseffort,thecommitteehasformallyrequestedtrainingfromtheICRC.

In Egypt, Iraq, Morocco, republic of the Sudan, Jordan, Palestine andSyria,regularIHLtrainingisprovidedforthemembersofthenationalIHLcommittees.MembersarealsoregularlyinvitedtoattendtheregionalArabiccoursesonIHLorganizedbytheICRCandtheLeagueofArabStates.


Foroccasionalevents(seminarsorconferences),thecommitteecanalsoseekfundsonaone-offbasisorfromexternalpartnerships–forexample,withtheNationalRedCrossorRedCrescentSocietyorwithuniversitiesorotheracademicinstitutions.

The technical secretariat of Peru’sNational Committee for the Study andImplementation of International Humanitarian Law is run by the justiceministry’sdirectorate-general forhuman rights,which is formally taskedwithpromotingandoverseeinghumanrightsandIHLinPeru.Thisstructureenables the committee to benefit from additional human and financialresourcestoconductitsactivities.

nepal’snationalIHLcommitteeisintegratedintothenationalhumanrightsactionplanandthus,itsobjectivesandrequiredresourcesfromeachministryarelinkedtothis.

RELAtIoNS wItH NAtIoNAL StAkEHoLDERS 45

4. RELATIONS WITH NATIONAL STAKEHOLDERS

4.1 WHY SHOULD A NATIONAL IHL COMMITTEE WORK CLOSELY WITH THE MINISTRIES REPRESENTED ON IT?

It is essential that the committee maintains regular and close workingrelationswiththeministriesandotheragenciesrepresentedonit,onwhichitdepends,orwhichareaffectedbythemeasuresitseekstopromote.Obviously,themoreawarenessthecommitteecanraiseofitsworkandtheusefulnessofitsservices,themorelikelyitwillbecalleduponforadvicebytheexecutiveauthorities.Similarly,themoreinformationthecommitteereceivesregardingministerialinitiativesinareasrelatingtoIHL,themoreeffectiveitsworkwillbe.Toensureitkeepstheauthoritiesregularlyinformedofitsactivitiesthecommitteecould,forexample:

• circulateinformationtogovernmentrepresentativesonthecommittee’sproceedingswithintheirrespectiveministries

• informtheauthoritiesoftheopinionsandrecommendationsissued,circulatetheminutesofmeetingsandtheannualreport(ifoneis produced–seeAnnex 6:Modelannualreport)amongitsmemberministries/agenciesandmaintainaregulardialoguewiththem

things to consider

• AnationalIHLcommitteeshouldconnectwithdifferentauthorities andasmanynationalstakeholdersaspossibletoensureitisadding valueandthatitsworkcomplementsthatofothernationalinitiatives.

• Itshouldseektoberecognizedasthenationalfocalpointfor (andreferenceon)IHL.

• WherethereisinterplaybetweenthenationalIHLcommitteeandthenationalhumanrightsinstitutionthisshouldincreasethe committee’s effectivenesswhilepreservingbothentities’respectivemandates.


• encouragetheauthoritiestogetintothehabitofconsultingthe committeeonallmattersrelatingtoIHLby,forexample,systematicallyofferingits expertadviceonanysuchmatter

• prioritizeIHL-relatedsubjectsthatarelikelytobeofmostinterestto the authorities(seeAnnex 4:Modelplanofaction).

4.2 WITH WHICH OTHER AUTHORITIES SHOULD A NATIONAL IHL COMMITTEE ENGAGE TO ENSURE ITS ACTIVITIES HAVE AN IMPACT?

• developing links with the legislative authoritiesParliamentarians,aspoliticalleadersandrepresentativesofthepeople,haveaninstrumentalroletoplayinensuringIHLisacknowledged,implementedandfaithfullyrespectedwhenandwhereitapplies.ItisthereforeimportantforthenationalIHLcommitteetodeveloplinkswiththelegislativeauthorities,to make its role and services known to them and keep parliamentariansinformedof itsactivitiesandrecommendations.Such linkscanbeuseful intermsoftheimplementationofIHLforthreereasons.First,parliamentsaredirectlyresponsibleforauthorizingtreatyratification/accessionandadoptingimplementing legislation. Second, they are often well placed to addressquestionsdirectly to the executive. Third, select parliamentary committees(dealingwithaspecifictopicorhavingparticularcompetence)arelikelytobedirectlyinterestedinthecommittee’sexpertise.

ThenationalIHLcommitteeinSwitzerland supportedtheSwissRedCrossinpreparingandpublishingamanualintendedforSwissparliamentarians:Respecter le DIH: Manuel à l’attention des parlementaires.

ThenationalIHLcommitteeinnepalhasalsohelpedprepare,publishandpublicizeanIHLhandbookforparliamentarians,whichisnowinitssecondedition.

The MoroccanandAlgeriannationalIHLcommitteesorganizeIHLtrainingforparliamentarians.

The EgyptianandtheMoroccancommitteesparticipateactivelyintheprocesstodraftlegislationonIHL-relatedsubjects.


BelowaresomeexamplesofhowanationalIHLcommitteecouldgoaboutforginglinkswiththelegislativeauthorities:

• Regularlyinvitecertainrepresentativesofthelegislativeauthorities(suchasthechairpersonsofparliamentarycommitteesinvolvedin the implementationofIHL)toattendcommitteemeetings–especiallyworkingmeetingsonmattersrequiringactionbyparliament,thelaunchofthecommittee’sannualreport(ifoneisproduced–seeAnnex 6:Modelannualreport),whenpertinentissuesareontheparliamentaryagendaor whenproposalshavebeenputforwardby the committee.

• Requestthatthecommitteebeheardoncertainissuesdebatedbyparliament(forexample,duringdiscussionsrelatingtotheratificationof atreaty).

• Submittoparliamentarianstheresultsofallactivitiesthatconcernthem(suchasdraftbills).

So, as well as informing the legislative authorities of its activities, thecommitteemust also keep an eye on the parliamentary agenda. This taskcouldbeentrustedtooneofitsmembersorthecommitteecouldincludeinitsmembershiparepresentativefromthelegislativebranchwhowouldliaisebetweenthecommitteeandtheparliament.

• cooperating with the judiciary on the implementation of IHL The judicial sector plays a fundamental role in a State’s fulfilment of itsobligationtorespectandensurerespectforIHL.WhenconfrontedwithIHLissues, judges, prosecutors and defence lawyers must apply and enforceIHL,thuscontributingtoitsclarificationanddevelopment.So,thenationalIHLcommitteeandthejudiciaryhaveacommoninterestinorganizingtheexchangeofinformation.Thecommitteehaseverythingtogainfrombeinginformedofrelevantmattersdealtwithbythejudicialauthorities,whilethelattercanbenefitgreatlyfromthecommittee’sexpertiseinIHL,andfromtheeventsitorganizes.Forexample,thecommitteecouldmakerepresentationsregardingpunishmentsincasesofmisuseoftheemblemoritcouldorganizeorsupporttheorganizationofadvancedtrainingprogrammesinIHLforjudges.


• Engaging with other public agencies not represented on the national IHL committee

NationalcommitteesorothersimilarentitiesonIHLdonotworkinavacuum.Engaging with other national stakeholders with mandates and activitieslinkedtothenationalimplementationofinternationallaw–includingIHL,internationalhumanrightslaw,internationalcriminallaw,refugeelawandotherrelevant internationalnorms–is indispensable inordertogrowtheexpertise and know-howof thedifferent agencies, seek synergies, ensureappropriate division of responsibilities and avoid duplicating efforts andresources in thepursuitof similarhumanitariangoals. It alsoenables thenationalIHLcommitteetobemoreinclusiveinitswork,moretransparentwithinthepublicsphereandmoreconspicuoustonotonlytheauthoritiesbutalsoothertargetgroupswithinsocietythatcouldhelpitplaceandmaintainIHLonthenationalagenda.StakeholderswithwhichthenationalIHLcommitteeshouldmaintainrelationsincludethenationalhumanrightsinstitution,publicorprivateentitiesworkingonspecificareasorissues,suchasthosesetupwithintheframeworkofthebanonanti-personnellandminesorthenationalauthorityestablishedunderthe1993ChemicalWeaponsConvention,thoseseekingtopromoteandprotectculturalheritage,suchasthenationalUNESCOcommission(orBlueShieldSociety),oragenciesresponsiblefordealingwithmigrants,refugeesorinternallydisplacedpeople.

ParticipantsintheThirdUniversalMeetingofNationalIHLCommitteesagreedthattrainingjudgesandprosecutorsiscrucialingivingnationalauthoritiestheconfidencetoapplysanctions.JudgesshouldallreceivepropertrainingonnewdevelopmentsinIHLandinternationalcriminallaw–newtreatiesortherevisionofexistingtreaties,changesincustomaryrulesandclarificationprovidedbythecaselawofinternationaltribunalsorbytheworkofexperts.TheICRCiscurrentlycreatingaguidetoIHLforthejudiciary.

Asnotedabove,membersofthejudiciarysitonIHLcommitteesinseveralcountries –forexample,costa rica andMadagascar.

The Bahraini, Algerian andSyrian national IHL committees organize IHLtrainingforjudges.

Innepal,thechairofthenationalIHLcommitteehasengagedwithmembersofthejudiciaryduringsessionsonIHL.


4.3 WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN A NATIONAL IHL COMMITTEE AND A NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTION?

15 Whiletherearesimilaritiesbetweensomeoftherulesofhumanitarianlawandhumanrightslaw,thesetwobranchesofpublicinternationallawhavedevelopedseparately,havedifferentscopesofapplication,arecontainedindifferenttreatiesandaresubjecttodifferentcompliancemechanisms.Inparticular,humanrightslaw–unlikeinternationalhumanitarianlaw–appliesduringbotharmedconflictandpeacetime,althoughmanyofitsprovisionscanbederogatedfromduringanarmedconflict.Formoreinformation,visit:https://www.icrc.org/eng/assets/files/other/ihl_and_ihrl.pdf

Both the national body dedicated to IHL and the national human rightsinstitution strive toprotect the lives anddignity of individuals. There arecommonalities between them and issues of shared interest,which justifyandmay evennecessitatemutual engagement. Consequently, someStateshaveentrustedthenationalhumanrightsinstitutionwiththepromotionandprotectionofbothhumanrightsandIHL(seeSection3above,EstablishmentandStructure).

Establishinginteractionandcooperationbetweenthesetwoentitiesallowsfor better coordination of activities and clearer division of work. Suchinteraction and cooperation are particularly relevant and desirable whenaddressing issues linked to the implementation of certain internationalinstrumentsthatareofconcerntoorrequireactionbybothnationalentities(e.g.theConventionagainstTortureorspecificinternationalhumanrightsinstruments thatcontain IHLprovisionsor relate toreportingobligationsunderinternationallaw).

There are, however, some fundamental differences between IHL andinternationalhumanrightslaw.15TherearealsodifferencesbetweenwhohasobligationsunderIHLandhumanrightslaw,andhowtheycanbemonitoredandcompliedwithinpractice.Itisthereforeimportantforstakeholderstounderstandthattherearealso,necessarily,distinctionsinthetraditionalroleandmandate,functions,compositionandworkproceduresofnationalIHLcommitteesandnationalhumanrightsinstitutions.

https://www.icrc.org/eng/assets/files/other/ihl_and_ihrl.pdf

https://www.icrc.org/eng/assets/files/other/ihl_and_ihrl.pdf


Itisimportantforgovernmentagenciestounderstandthesedistinctionswellinordertobeabletodifferentiatebetweenthetwobodiesoflawand,whereanentityforthepromotionandimplementationofeachexists,toassignmatterscorrectlytooneortheother.

The National Commission for the Implementation of IHL of Guatemala includesrepresentativesofthecountry’sCommissionforHumanRights.

TheNationalCommitteefor theStudyandImplementationof IHLofPeru helpedensureIHLobligationswereincludedintheNationalPlansonHumanRights,ofwhichthenationalhumanrightsinstitutionisincharge.

WorKInG ProcEdurES 51

5. WORKING PROCEDURES

TheaimofthenationalIHLcommitteeistomakesurethatIHLasawhole,includingrecentdevelopmentsininternationalcriminallawandtheadoptionof newor updated instruments on the use of certainweapons, aswell asdevelopments inotherareas, is implementedeffectivelyatdomestic level.Clearandappropriateworkingmethodscangreatlyfacilitatethistask.Themoreeffectiveitsworkingmethods,themorecrediblethecommittee’sworkandthemorefrequentlyitsexpertiseandadvicearelikelytobesought.

5.1 WHAT WORKING METHODS CAN THESE ENTITIES USE TO OPERATE MORE EFFICIENTLY AND ACCOMPLISH THEIR MISSION?

• Defining working methods that are adapted to the context and will ensure the consistency and continuity of its work

Right from the start, the national IHL committee should adopt terms ofreference (or internaloperatingprocedures) to facilitate itsworkandhowitfunctions.Itshoulddefineaworkingmethodthatissuitedtoitscontext,structureanddefinedrole.

things to consider

• AnationalIHLcommitteeshouldadoptclearandappropriateterms ofoperation.

• Itshouldbeginbyidentifyingthoseareaswhereimplementationis required,thendeterminethemeasurestobetakenandtherelevantauthoritiestobeapproached,establishaplanofactionandsetpriorities.

• Thecommitteeshouldreporttothegovernmentandotherrelevantauthoritiesonitsactivities.

• Thecommitteeshouldmakeitsactivitiesknownaswidelyaspossibleand seekrecognitionofitswork.


TheworkofthenationalIHLcommitteeshouldbeorganizedinsuchawayastoensureconsistencyandcontinuity,andthatIHLremainsarelevantitemon theagendaof itsgovernment. It shouldhold formalplenarymeetings,involvingallof its regularmembers,asoftenasdeemednecessary,butatleastonceortwiceayear.Inaddition,itsmembersshouldmeetatworkinglevel–orintheformoftechnicalsubcommittees,iftheseareprovidedforinthestructureofthecommittee–asoftenasnecessary.

• Establishing which laws currently exist and identifying gaps and measures to be taken in order to become a party to and implement IHL treaties: compatibility study

Often,anationalIHLcommittee’sfirsttask is toassess itscountry’s levelof participation in IHL and related instruments, and the status of theirimplementation at the national level. This analysis, sometimes called a“compatibilitystudy”,maybeconductedeitherbythecommitteeitselforatitsrequest.Itmakesitpossibletoidentifyshortcomingsandsetprioritieswith

Vanuatu’s national IHL committee’s terms of reference were formallyendorsedbytheCouncilofMinisters inMay2018.TheseprovidedetailonthewayinwhichthecommitteewillpromoteratificationandimplementationofandadherencetokeyIHLtreaties.Theyalsosetoutthecommittee’sroleasafocalpointforthegovernment’sIHLactivitiesandasaninstrumentforthedisseminationofhumanitarianlawandprinciples.ThetermsofreferencecontainageneralprovisionallowingthecommitteetocarryoutanyothertaskrelatingtoIHLassignedtoitbythegovernment,ortogiveanopinionontheseissuesandtodowhateverelseisnecessaryorexpedientforthefulfilmentofthecommittee’sresponsibilities.

The Belarusian committee’s terms of reference were consulted by andinstrumental in the creation of similar commissions in Kyrgyzstan andTurkmenistan.

In Indonesia,PantapHumanitarwasfirstestablished in 1980viaadecreeissuedbytheministerforjustice.Sincethen,thecommittee’smandateandtermsofreferencehavebeenrenewedeveryyearwiththerelevantministry,whichactsasthecommittee’scoordinator.Thecommitteehasthreemaintasks: (a) formulating government policies related to IHL, (b) conductingresearchandstudyonIHLimplementation,and(c) formulatingpoliciesonthedisseminationofIHL.


regardtothemeasurestobeadoptedtoaddressthem.Whilethemethodologyusedandformatchosenmayvaryfromonecontexttotheother,suchstudiesshouldcontain,asaminimum:

• adescriptionoftherelationshipintheStateinquestionbetweendomesticlawandinternationallaw

• adescriptionandanassessmentofnationalmechanismsfortheimplementationofIHL

• adiscussionofnationalimplementationmeasures,suchasanylegislativestepsalreadytaken,responsibilitiesassignedorstructuresputinplace.

Ifpossible,thestudyshouldbeopenforpublicconsultation,orevenpublished,whichwouldmake it available toothernational entities,governmentalorotherwise.However,theauthoritiesmayprefertokeepthestudyconfidential;indeed,incertaincases,thiscanensuregreaterefficiencyintheadoptionofthemeasuresrecommended.Thestudycanconstitutethestartingpointforthecommittee’sworkandbasisforthedevelopmentofitsplanofaction.Tomaintainitsrelevance,thestudyshouldbeupdatedregularly(seeAnnex 3:Modelcompatibilitystudy).

• Setting priorities and objectives: the plan of action The national IHL committee should identify areaswhere implementationmeasuresarerequired,determinethemeasurestobetakenandtheauthoritiestobe involved,andset itspriorities,makingsure theyare relevant to thecontextandtakethespecificconcerns,interestsandagendasofthecountry’s

The turkmenistan, Belarus,and MoldovanationalIHLcommitteeshaveallconductedcompatibilitystudiesoftheirdomesticlawandIHL.

The national IHL committee of Sri Lanka commissioned a consultant toundertakeacompatibilitystudy.

While there is currently no formal national IHL committee in rwanda,agovernmenttaskteamhasbeenestablishedtoexaminethefeasibilityofsettingupsuchacommittee.Inparallel,theRwandaLawReformCommissionis currently working on an IHL compatibility study, which is due to becompletedbytheendof 2018.

The SloveniannationalIHLcommitteeiscurrentlyundertakingacompatibilitystudycoveringallIHLtreatiesandrelevantlegislation.Inthisendeavour,thecommitteeisreceivingpeersupportfromtheGermancommittee.


governmentintoaccount.Thecommitteeshouldholditsdiscussionsinplenarysessionsor,ifnecessary,delegateresponsibilityforcertainissuesoractivitiestoindividualmembersorcreatespecificsubcommitteesorworkinggroups(eitherpermanentorad-hoc).

Thecommitteeshoulddrawupaplanofactioninwhichitdeterminesthesubjectsandactivitiesonwhichitwishestofocus(see Annex 4:Modelplanofaction).Suchplansmaycoveraone-or two-yearperiodandmust, forexample,setprioritiesandstrategicobjectivestobeachieved,defineageneralstrategyforeachobjectiveanddesignatethememberagencyor individualresponsiblefortheachievementofeachobjective.Progressinimplementingtheplanofactionmustbemonitored,sothatthecommitteecanassesstheplan’seffectivenessanddrawfurthermotivationfromit.

Assuggestedinthemodelplanannexedtothisdocument,thecommittee’sobjectivesmaybedividedintodifferentcategories–forexample,asfollows:

• analysisofthevalidityofreservationsmadebytheStatetotreatiesto whichitisaparty–potentialactionbythecommittee:encouragethe Statetoratify/accedetospecificIHLandrelatedtreatiesandto withdrawreservationsthatarenolongerjustified

• adoptionofnationalimplementationmeasures–potentialaction:encouragetheauthoritiestoadoptmeasuresforthedisseminationand teachingofIHL,legislativemeasuresoradministrativeregulationsfor itsimplementation;influencepolicydecisionsrelatedtoIHL

• monitoringandsupportingnewdevelopmentsandinitiativesin IHLonboththenationalandinternationallevels–potentialaction:monitoringnationalandinternationaldevelopmentsandactingto ensurethatnationaldevelopments(e.g.atthelegislativeorpolicylevel)arecompatiblewiththeState’sobligationsunderIHLandthatdevelopmentsatgloballevel(e.g.newlawsoncounteringterrorism)aredulytakeninto considerationinnationallawandpolicy

Papua new Guinea’s national IHLcommitteehasproducedadraftplanofactiontoguideitsStatetobecomeapartytoandimplementtheProtocolsadditionaltotheGenevaConventions.

The Belarus, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, turkmenistan, uAE, Egypt, Morocco and BangladeshnationalIHLcommitteesallhaveplansofaction.


• promotingknowledgeofIHL–potentialaction:promoteIHL disseminationandtrainingtospecifictargetgroupsandthe general public

• committeeoperation–potentialaction:takemeasureswithinthe committeeitselftostrengthenitsowneffectiveness.

Of course, committees are free to choosedifferent classificationsor otherissuesaimedatensuringbetterimplementationofIHLonthenationallevel.

• Adopting a thematic approach: worksheets Totackletheprioritiesdefinedintheplanofactioneffectivelyandefficiently,athematicapproachbasedonworksheetscanbeuseful(see Annex 5:Modelworksheet).Thesecanbeusedbythecommitteetostipulatetheactivitiesitneedstoundertaketoremedyanyimplementationshortcomingsandmakeappropriateproposalstotherelevantauthorities,aswellastosetoutaprecisetimeframefortakingthemeasuresidentified.

• Establishing subcommittees and/or working committees to improve effectiveness

Creating individual “subcommittees” or technical working groups (eitherpermanentorad-hoc) todealwithspecificactivitiesorsubjectareasmayfacilitatetheworkandimprovetheeffectivenessofanationalIHLcommittee.

They should be chaired by the representative of the relevant ministry,i.e. the member of the committee most closely involved in pursuing thespecificobjectiveor subjectmatter.Thedivisionof responsibilitieswithinthecommitteeanditsworkinggroupsmustbeclear–again,theworksheetapproachwouldbehelpfulhere(seeAnnex 5:Modelworksheet).

• Keeping a record of the work accomplished: annual reports

nicaragua’sNationalCommissionfortheImplementationofIHLhasthreesubcommittees:oneontheprotectionofculturalproperty,oneonlegislationandoneonIHLtraininganddissemination.

Morocco’snationalIHLcommitteehasestablishedtwosubcommittees,eachwith its own specific terms of reference: one is taskedwith research andlegislation,theotherwithdisseminationandtraining.


ThenationalIHLcommitteeshouldproduceperiodicreportsonitsactivitiesandachievements,preferablyonanannualbasis.Suchreportsareaneffectivemeansofinformingtheauthoritiesconcerned(includingatthehighestlevel)andthepublicatlargeoftheworkdonebythecommitteeandofpublicizingitsexistenceandservices.Furthermore,areportcanbeausefultoolforevaluatingtheworkdone.Activityreportsshouldcontain,asaminimum,detailsoftheprogressmadeandresultsachievedwithregardtotheobjectivesdefinedintheplanofaction,andofactivitiesrelatingtocooperationwithothernationalstakeholdersandthenationalIHLcommitteesofothercountries.

Malaysia’s national IHL committeehas four subcommittees – on culturalproperty,weapons,implementationanddissemination.

Egypt’s national IHL committee has technical subcommittees on thefollowingsubjects:legislation;education,researchandtraining;mediaanddissemination;conferencesandinternationalcooperation.

ThenationalIHLcommitteeofMauritiusproducesexcellentannualreports,whicharemadepublic.

The BelarusCommissiononInternationalHumanitarianLawImplementationdrafts an annual report for presentation to the Cabinet of Ministers thefollowingyear,afterwhichitismadepubliclyavailable.

The BelgianInterministerialCommissionreportsannuallytoalltheministerswhoarerepresentedonitandtoallthecountry’slegislativeassemblies.Since2016,thesereportshavebeenpubliclyavailable.

Innepal, although thecommitteeasanentitydoesn’treport,eachministryrepresented on it covers the work of the committee in their individualdepartmentalreporting.

ThecommitteesintheuAEandMoroccoreportannuallytotheirrespectivegovernments.


Moregenerally,annualreportsallowthecommitteetobuilduparecordofitsactivitiesoverthelongterm.ThisisimportanttoensurethatinformationonthenationalIHLcommitteeanditsactivitiesand/orpartnershipsisnotlostwhenthereisachangeofgovernment,orarotationintherepresentativesonthecommittee.

Bykeepingandcirculatingmeetingrecords–atleast,offormalmeetings–aswellasbuildingandmaintainingarchivesacommitteewillhavefurtherusefulmeansofdisseminatinginformationaboutitsactivitieswhileatthesametimebuildingupitsrecordasaninstitution.Thesecretariatisinstrumentalinthisregard,asitwillberesponsiblefortakingandcirculatingminutesofmeetingsanddrawingupactivityreports.

• Periodic evaluation of activitiesThecommitteeshouldregularlyevaluateitsachievementsandidentifytheobstaclesithasencountered,sothatitcanthenconsiderwaysofovercomingthoseobstacles.Bydrawingonitsownexperienceand,whereappropriate,thatofothercommittees,itwillthenbeabletoforgeaheadandstepupitsaction.

Tothisend,thecommitteecould,forexample,includeinitsannualprogressreportageneralevaluationofitswork,aswellascommentsontheresultsofthemostsignificantactivitiesitundertookduringtheperiodunderreview.

Periodic reports can prove particularly useful in the event of a change ofgovernment,astheycanbeawayforthecommitteetoinformtheincominggovernmentornewlyappointedauthoritiesofitsroleandachievements,andthushelpensureitsmandateisrenewedanditsworkcancontinue.

ThenationalIHLcommitteesinPeruandEcuadordraftedevaluationreportsin2016and2017,respectively.


Aswellasdrawingtheattentionoftheauthoritiesandgovernmentagenciesto their role andwork, and to IHLmore generally, committees also needto “break out of the circle of insiders” and appeal to other target groupsinterestedinIHL,too.Doingso isaconditionforsuccessand,sometimes,thecommittee’sverysurvival.TheycanalsoenhancethevisibilityofIHL,itscontinuedrelevanceincontemporaryarmedconflictsandtheneedtoenhancerespectforthisbodyoflaw.

The communication strategymust be adapted to the context inwhich thecommittee works and use effective communication means and methods,including social networks and other digital tools, to publicize its role andactivities.Thingstoconsiderwhendraftingacommunicationstrategyinclude:

• designingalogoandheadednotepaper • issuingaperiodicnewsletter • creatingawebsiteandusingdigitalsocialnetworks • producingabrochureonIHLandexplaininghowthecommitteeworksto promoteitandencourageitsimplementation

5.2 WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO MAKE THE COMMITTEES’ WORK VISIBLE AND HOW CAN THIS BE ACHIEVED?

• Ensure the committee’s visibility by having an effective communication strategy

It would be regrettable if thework of national IHL committeeswere notrecognizedbecauseofalackofpropercommunicationandvisibility,sotheyshouldsystematicallyseektomaketheirroleandexpertiseknownaswidelyaspossible.

The uAE’s nationalIHLcommitteeandtheSwissEmbassyintheUAEorganizedaphoto exhibition entitledWar from the Victim’s Perspective at theMilitaryForcesClubandHotelinAbuDhabiinMay2015.Alongsidetheexhibition,aseminaronIHLandhowitlinkswithrelevantrulesofIslamiclawwasalsoheld,inordertoillustratetheimpactofwaronvictimsandtheimportanceofadheringtoIHLrulesandregulations,aswellasdisseminateknowledgeaboutIHLamongparticipants.


• organizingannualconferencesorseminars,aloneorinpartnershipwith otherentities,andotherpublicactivities

• participatinginmajornationaleventsrelatingtoIHL • organizingapubliclaunchofthecommittee’sannualreportandoverviewofthestatusofIHLimplementationatthenationallevel.

• developing and maintaining a network of contactsVisibilityisimportantifthecommitteeistobetrulyeffective.Therefore,itisusefulforacommitteetohaveastrongnetworkofindividualsorentitiesthatitcankeepinformedofitsactivitiesandachievements,sothattheymay,inturn,passthisinformationontotheirowncontacts.AcommunicationworkinggroupcouldbesetupwithinthecommitteetodevelopanappropriatestrategyinthisregardandkeeparecordofindividualsandinstitutionsinterestedinIHL.

Thechairpersonofthecommitteeanditsexecutivesecretaryalsohaveavitalroletoplayinraisingitsprofile,astheyareparticularlywellplacedtoensurethatitisknownandrecognizedbythepoliticalauthoritiesandcivilsociety.

IntErnAtIonAL cooPErAtIon 61

6. INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

ItisimportantforanationalIHLcommitteetoestablishandmaintainregularcontactwithitscounterpartsinitsgeographicalregionandbeyond,andattheinternationallevel,bycontributingtotheexchangeofinformationonnationalimplementationofIHL.

6.1 WHY IS COOPERATION BETWEEN NATIONAL IHL COMMITTEES RELEVANT AND HOW CAN IT BE STRENGTHENED?

• Strengthening direct links between committees from different countries and peer-to–peer cooperation

AnationalIHLcommitteeshouldseekcontactsandcooperatewithsimilarentitiesinothercountriesonaregularbasis,sincetheproblemsandissuestheyfaceareoftensimilar.Itisagoodideatostartthecooperationeffortinthesameregionorsubregion,withcommitteesofcountrieswithsimilarlegalsystemsandtraditions,byorganizingjointactivitiesand/orinvitingexpertsfromotherentitiestoparticipateinthecommittee’swork.Thiscooperationcan be formal (based on agreements between committees) or informal,pursuedviameetings.

things to consider

• EstablishingrelationsandcooperationwithnationalIHLcommitteesfromdifferentcountriesandexchanginginformationonrespectiveactivitiesandexperiencescontributetostrengtheningrespectforIHLin nationalsystems.

• EngagingwithinternationalandregionalorganizationsandotherrelevantbodiesstrengthensanationalIHLcommittee’srecognitionandimpactbeyondthedomesticlevel.


We should all take inspiration from other committees, pinpointing what works well and adapting it to our own national context.

– Soualem Lazhar, director of human rights, social development and cultural, scientific and technical affairs at the Ministry

of Foreign Affairs in Algeria and its representative on the country’s national IHL committee

Whilelocalizedcooperationisideal,therehavealsobeenmanyinnovativeagreements, cooperation projects and exchanges of experiences betweencommitteesthatarequitefarapart,geographically,includingbetweenthosein:GermanyandPeru; SwitzerlandandJordan; MoroccoandJordan; Morocco andPeru; Morocco andQatar; Belarus andKyrgyzstan; Switzerland andIndonesia;andEgyptand Morocco.

Bangladeshhasalsooffered tohosta regionalpeer-to-peerbest-practiceexchangefornationalIHLcommitteesinsouthernandSouth-EastAsia.

The national IHL committees of comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius andthe SeychelleshaveagreedtocreateasubregionalIHLplatformtoengagein dialogue and exchange ideas on generating greater respect for IHL inaccordancewithobligationsunderthe1949GenevaConventions.Thiswasoneoftheoutcomesofthepeer-to-peermeetingofIndianOceanIslandNationalIHLCommittees,whichtookplaceintheSeychellesinNovember2016.

In 2016, the Interministerial Technical Committee on Human Rights andHumanitarian Law in namibia, with the support of the ICRC, invitedrepresentativesfromthenationalIHLcommitteesofBotswana, MalawiandZimbabwe toexchangegoodpractice,particularly in termsofsharingIHLinformationdomestically.


Cooperationcanbefosteredinthefollowingways–by: • designatingoneorseveralcommitteememberstobeinchargeofdirectrelationswithothercommittees(tokeepcoststoaminimum,ideallythesemembersshouldbepeoplewho,aspartoftheirnormalfunction,regularlygoabroadonofficialmissionsandsocouldtakeadvantageof thesetomeetthecommitteesinthosecountriesvisited)

• arrangingpeer-to-peerexchangesbetweennationalIHLcommitteesin thesameregion

• arrangingforawell-establishednationalIHLcommitteetoguidethosewishingtoformacommitteeinanotherStateoradvisealreadyestablishedbutstillrelativelynewcommittees

• arrangingfordocumentstobetranslatedintootherlanguagesso thattheymaybesharedwithcommitteesinothercountries

• publiclyannouncingevents,conferencesorotheractivitiesorganizedbythecommitteeandinvitingrepresentativesofothercommitteesto participateasspeakers

• askingothercommitteesforopinionsoradviceonoperatingmethodsand practice,andonnationalimplementationmeasuresadoptedor planned

• whereaStatedoesnotyethaveanationalIHLcommittee,participatinginthemeetingsofotherStates’committeesinordertoenhanceunderstandingofthecrucialroleplayedbysuchentities

• holding“virtual”meetings(especiallyatregionallevel)tosavecostson maintainingexchangesbetweencommittees.

• Maintaining relations with the Icrc Advisory Service on IHL

Indonesia’s PantapHumanitarregularlyseekstheinputoftheICRC’slegaladviserinthecountryandupdatestheICRCdelegationthereonitsactivities.

Australia’s nationalIHLcommitteeinvitestheICRCtoprovideupdatesonitsactivitiesand,inturn,briefstheICRConwhatitisdoing.

The national IHL committees of Syria, Jordan, Palestine, Egypt, tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, Iraq, Qatar, the uAE, Saudi Arabia and omanregularlyseektheadviceoftheICRC’sAdvisoryServiceonIHLinCairoandoftheIHLfocalpointsinthedelegationsinthecountrieswheretheyarepresent.


Aswell as developing regular contactswith other institutions involved inor concernedwith the implementation of humanitarian law, national IHLcommitteesshouldliaisecloselywiththeICRCAdvisoryServiceonIHL.BykeepingtheICRCAdvisoryServiceinformed(throughtherelevantregionallegal adviser) and, in particular, reporting to it any new developmentsconcerninghumanitarianlawwithintheirdomesticsystems,committeescanreceiveadequatesupportandassistancefromtheservice.

• International IHL meetingsA national IHL committee should organize and take part in regional andmultinationalmeetingsofentitiessimilarto itselfandseekthesupportofregionalandinternationalorganizationstodoso.

TheICRCco-organizesregional IHL meetingsinthefollowingregionsandsubregions:southernAfrica,EastAfrica,WestAfrica,theAmericas,EastandSouth-EastAsia,SouthAsia,Iran,centralandsouth-easternEurope,CentralAsiaandtheArabStates.For theCommonwealthStates, it co-organizesaregularIHLmeetingforthoseStatesandtheirNationalSocietiesand,everyfouryears,thereisameetingspecificallyforthenationalIHLcommittees.

• networks of national IHL committees at the regional level

A regional meeting of national IHL committees in the Americas(SanJose,CostaRica),focusingonthetopic“Weaponsunderinternationalhumanitarianlaw”andcommemoratingthe40thanniversaryoftheProtocolsadditionaltotheGenevaConventions,washeldinMay2017.ThemeetinghighlightedtheeffectivenessoftheworkofnationalIHLcommitteesand,moregenerally,ofprocessesintheregiontoimplementIHLinrelationtoweaponsissues.

The fourth Meeting of representatives of national committees on International Humanitarian Law of commonwealth States,heldinNamibiain June 2017, examined, among other topics, “The role of national IHLcommitteesingeneratinggreaterrespectforIHL”.

The first universal Meeting of representatives of national committees on International Humanitarian Law at the national Level, held inGeneva inMarch2002,lookedattheimpactandroleofnationalcommittees.


NationalIHLcommitteescanbenefitgreatlyfrominternationalandregionalcooperationandexchangeamongsimilarentities,particularlywhereregionalnetworks or exchange programmes across regional meetings have beenestablished.

Forexample,arepresentativefromsouthernAfricasendsonerepresentativetotheEastAfricaIHLregionalmeeting,andviceversa.

6.2 HOW ARE NATIONAL IHL COMMITTEES INVOLVED AT THE REGIONAL AND UNIVERSAL LEVELS?

TheworkofnationalIHLcommitteesshouldbesharedattheinternationallevel aspart of the constant effort to refine thepractice of implementingIHL.Cooperationandcommunicationwithintergovernmentalorganizations and other relevant entities help support global and regional initiatives todevelopandstrengthenIHL.Forexample,cooperationbetweennationalIHLcommitteesandintergovernmentalorganizationshasbeenhelpfulin:

• facilitatingthedevelopmentoflegislative,administrativeandpracticalsolutionstotheissuesthatarisewhenimplementingIHLtreaties

The Second universal Meeting of national committees on International Humanitarian law,heldinGenevainMarch2007,discussedlegalmeasuresandmechanisms to prevent disappearances, establish the fate ofmissingpersonsandassisttheirfamilies.

The theme of the third universal Meeting of national committees on International Humanitarian law, held in Geneva in October 2010, was“Preventing and repressing international crimes: Towards an ‘integrated’approachbasedondomesticpractice”.

The fourth universal Meeting of national committees and Similar Bodies on IHL,heldinGenevainNovember/December2016,focusedonenhancingprotectioninarmedconflictthroughdomesticlawandpolicy.

The Eleventh Meeting of Arab Government Experts on IHLtookplaceinCairoon19and20 September 2018.


• contributingtoabetterunderstandingofthechallengesinpromotingrespectforIHL

• feedingexchangesanddiscussionsattheuniversallevelbasedon activitiesgeneratedatthedomesticlevel(domesticreporting)and outcomesofregionalmeetings

• increasingtheprominenceofIHLindiplomaticforums.

organization of American States (oAS)TheOAS, recognizing that its IHL-related effortswere complementary tothoseofnationalIHLcommittees,hascontinuedtoincludethecommitteesin its IHL-relateddeliberations. Inaddition, theOASPermanentCouncil’sCommitteeonJuridicalandPoliticalAffairsorganizes,incoordinationwiththeICRC,biennial“SpecialSessions”onthepromotionofandrespectforIHL,pursuanttomandatesestablishedbytheGeneralAssembly.Intheseformalmeetings,OASmemberStatesinter alia sharecountryreportsonactionstakentogiveeffecttoOASGeneralAssemblyresolutionsonIHLandotherrelatedresolutions.

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural organization (UNESCo)In2014,theICRCandtheIntergovernmentalCommitteefortheProtectionofCulturalPropertyintheEventofArmedConflict(ofwhichUNESCOisthesecretariat)sentajointlettertoallnationalIHLcommitteesurgingthemtotakeactiontoencourageimplementationofthe1954HagueConventionanditsProtocols.

International Conference of the Red Cross and Red CrescentThe32ndInternationalConference,heldin2015,adoptedseveralresolutionsrelating to IHL and served as a platform for reflecting on how to furtherstrengthen respect for this body of law. Resolution 2, on strengtheningcompliancewithIHL,recommendsthatStatesexaminehowtoenhancetheimplementationof IHLusingthepotentialof theInternationalConferenceand regional forums. National IHL committees have played an importantrole by encouraging and supporting the participation of their respectivegovernmentsinthisprocess,withaviewtoenhancingtheglobalsystemofIHL implementation further. Indeed, some committees regularly discuss,duringtheirmeetings,theintergovernmentalprocesstostrengthenrespectforIHL.


League of Arab StatesIn2001,acommissionontheimplementationofIHL,comprisingrepresenta-tivesoftheLegalDivisionoftheLeagueofArabStatesandtheICRCAdvisoryServiceonIHL,wasestablished,asrecommendedbythefirstRegionalMeetingofArabGovernmentExpertsonIHL,whichtookplaceinCairoinMayofthesameyear.ThiscommissionhassinceorganizedandpreparedtheagendasfortenregionalmeetingsofexpertsonIHLfromArabgovernments.TheaimofthesemeetingswastoassesseffortsundertakenintheArabStatestowardsimplementationanddisseminationofIHL.Beforeeachmeeting,aquestion-nairewasdistributedtoalltheArabnationalIHLcommitteestoprepareforthedraftingofaregionalactionplan.Inaddition,thecommissionhas,since2002,monitoredtheimplementationanddisseminationofIHLinArabStatesandpublishedstatus/progressreportsforeachState.Sevensuchreportshadbeenpublishedupto2014.


ANNEXES

ANNEX 1: SUGGESTED READING REPORTS AND CONFERENCE SERIES • ICRC,Enhancing Protection in Armed Conflict through Domestic Law and

Policy: Conference Overview,ICRC,Geneva,2017:https://www.icrc.org/en/document/enhancing-protection-armed-conflict-throughdomestic-law-and-policy-overview-report

• ICRC,“Generatingrespectforthelaw”,includingvideos,LawandPolicyPlatform:https://www.icrc.org/en/generating-respect-law

• ICRC, Preventing and Repressing International Crimes: Towards an “Integrated”

Approach Based on Domestic Practice: Report of the Third Universal Meeting of

National Committees for the Implementation of International Humanitarian Law,ICRC,Geneva,2014:https://www.icrc.org/en/publication/4138-preventing-and-repressing-international-crimes-towards-integrated-approach-based

• Mangezi,M.,andSwart,S.,“Backtobasics:EnhancingAfricanadherencetotherulesofwar”,HumanitarianLawandPolicyblog,4 October2016:http://blogs.icrc.org/law-and-policy/2016/10/04/africa-ihl-ratification-compliance/

INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF THE RED CROSS • ArzapaloVillón,T.E.,“Peru’sNationalCommitteefortheStudyandImplementationofInternationalHumanitarianLaw”,Vol.96,Nos895/896,December2015:https://www.icrc.org/en/international-review/article/perus-national-committee-study-and-implementation-international

• Casier,F.,andJanssens,A.,“Belgium’sInterministerialCommissionforHumanitarianLaw:Playingakeyroleintheimplementationand promotionofIHL”,Vol.96,Nos895/896,December2015: https://www.icrc.org/en/international-review/article/belgiums-interministerial-commission-humanitarian-law-playing-key-role

• Pellandini,C.,“EnsuringnationalcompliancewithIHL:TheroleandimpactofnationalIHLcommittees”,Vol.96,Nos895/896,December2015:https://www.icrc.org/en/international-review/article/ensuring-national-compliance-ihl-role-and-impact-national-ihl




https://www.icrc.org/en/generating-respect-law

https://www.icrc.org/en/publication/4138-preventing-and-repressing-international-crimes-towards-integrated-approach-based

https://www.icrc.org/en/publication/4138-preventing-and-repressing-international-crimes-towards-integrated-approach-based

http://blogs.icrc.org/law-and-policy/2016/10/04/africa-ihl-ratification-compliance/

http://blogs.icrc.org/law-and-policy/2016/10/04/africa-ihl-ratification-compliance/





https://www.icrc.org/en/international-review/article/ensuring-national-compliance-ihl-role-and-impact-national-ihl

https://www.icrc.org/en/international-review/article/ensuring-national-compliance-ihl-role-and-impact-national-ihl

AnnExES 69

• SalazarAlbornoz,M.,“TheworkofMexico’sInterministerialCommitteeonInternationalHumanitarianLaw”,Vol.96,Nos895/896,December 2015:https://www.icrc.org/en/international-review/article/work-mexicos-interministerial-committee-international-humanitarian-law

ICRC TOOLS • ICRCAdvisoryServiceonIHL,“Guidingprinciplesconcerningthestatusandmethodsofoperationofnationalbodiesfortheimplementationofinternationalhumanitarianlaw”,ICRC,1998: https://www.icrc.org/eng/resources/documents/misc/guiding_principles_national_committees.htm

• ICRCAdvisoryServiceonIHL,Implementing International Humanitarian Law:

From Law to Action,factsheet,ICRC,2002:https://www.icrc.org/en/document/implementing-international-humanitarian-law-law-action

• ICRCAdvisoryServiceonIHL,National Committees for the Implementation

of IHL,factsheet,ICRC,2003:https://www.icrc.org/en/download/file/1410/national-committee-factsheet-icrc-2003-01-eng.pdf

• ICRCAdvisoryServiceonIHL,National Committees and Similar Bodies

on IHL,table,ICRC,June2018:https://www.icrc.org/en/document/table-national-committees-and-other-national-bodies-international-humanitarian-law

• ICRCAdvisoryServiceonIHL, Practical Advice to Facilitate the Work of

National Committees on International Humanitarian Law, factsheet,ICRC,2003:https://www.icrc.org/eng/resources/documents/misc/5nsh9h.htm





https://www.icrc.org/en/document/implementing-international-humanitarian-law-law-action

https://www.icrc.org/en/document/implementing-international-humanitarian-law-law-action

https://www.icrc.org/en/download/file/1410/national-committee-factsheet-icrc-2003-01-eng.pdf

https://www.icrc.org/en/download/file/1410/national-committee-factsheet-icrc-2003-01-eng.pdf

https://www.icrc.org/en/document/table-national-committees-and-other-national-bodies-international-humanitarian-law



https://www.icrc.org/eng/resources/documents/misc/5nsh9h.htm


ANNEX 2: NATIONAL IHL COMMITTEES VS NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTIONS

16 SeeICRC,“Guidingprinciplesconcerningthestatusandmethodsofoperationofnationalbodiesfortheimplementationofinternationalhumanitarianlaw”,ICRC,Geneva,1998:https://www.icrc.org/eng/resources/documents/misc/guiding_principles_national_committees.htm

17 SeeUnitedNations,“Principlesrelatingtothestatusofnationalinstitutions”(TheParisPrinciples):http://www.ohchr.org/EN/ProfessionalInterest/Pages/StatusOfNationalInstitutions.aspx

NATIONAL IHL COMMITTEES OR SIMILAR ENTITIES

NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTIONS

Mandate National IHL committees or similar entities act as an advisory body to governments on matters pertaining to international humanitarian law and its implementation at the national level.16

National human rights institutions are vested with competence to promote and protect human rights, and aim to ensure the implementation of inter-national human rights standards at the national level. They are bound by the principles relating to the status of national institutions, commonly known as the Paris Principles.17

Functions Core functions of national IHL committees include promoting the implementation of IHL at national level, taking part in efforts and strategies to spread knowledge of IHL, providing advice on the subject, ensuring coordination of related ques-tions, promoting respect for the law and lobbying for the necessary legis lation.

Core functions of national human rights institutions include protecting human rights, including by receiving, investigating and resolving complaints, mediating conflicts and monitoring activities. Another important aspect is the promotion of human rights through education, outreach, the media, pub-lications, training and capacity build-ing, as well as advising and assisting government.



http://www.ohchr.org/EN/ProfessionalInterest/Pages/StatusOfNationalInstitutions.aspx

http://www.ohchr.org/EN/ProfessionalInterest/Pages/StatusOfNationalInstitutions.aspx

AnnExES 71

NATIONAL IHL COMMITTEES OR SIMILAR ENTITIES

NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTIONS

Composition The national IHL committee is composed of representatives of various ministries of the State, as well as actors from the legislative and judicial branches, civil society, academia and other experts. The involvement of National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in the committee membership is key.

The composition of a national human rights institutions and the appoint-ment of its members, whether by means of an election or otherwise, shall be established in accordance with a procedure that affords all necessary guarantees to ensure the pluralist representation of the social forces (of civilian society) involved in the protection and promotion of human rights, particularly by powers that will enable effective cooperation to be established with, or through the presence of, representatives of: (a) non-governmental organizations

responsible for human rights and efforts to combat racial discrim-ination, trade unions, relevant social and professional organiza-tions – of, for example, lawyers, doctors, journalists and eminent scientists;

(b) philosophical or religious bodies; (c) universities and qualified experts; (d) parliament; (e) government departments (if these

are included, their representatives should participate in deliberations in an advisory capacity only).

Set-up and structure

Since the implementation of IHL is pri-marily the responsibility of governments, national entities set up to this end are linked to the executive branch. Their legal status and their formal configuration depend on the constitutional structure of and procedures applied by the State concerned.

Since they are State entities with a constitutional and/or legislative mandate to protect and promote human rights, they are part of the State apparatus and are funded by the State. However, they operate and function independently from govern-ment. National human rights institu-tions have an autonomous and inde-pendent status not only formally but also financially and administratively.


ANNEX 3: MODEL COMPATIBILITY STUDY

STUDY OF THE COMPATIBILITY OF THE DOMESTIC LAW OF [STATE] WITH THE OBLIGATIONS STEMMING FROM INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW

1) Introduction[Objectives,utilization,distribution]

2) national mechanisms for implementation of international humanitarian law[Descriptionandassessmentofsuchmechanisms]

3) domestic law and public international law[DescriptionoftherelationshipbetweeninternationallawanddomesticlawintheStateinquestion]

4) Assessment of national measures for implementation of international humanitarian lawa)Participationintreatiesb)Translationoftreatiesintonationallanguagec) Disseminationandinstructiond)Legislativemeasuresandregulations

• Protectionofredcrossandredcrescentnamesandemblems,and of otherdistinctivesigns

• Repressionofwarcrimes • Judicialguarantees • Protectionofchildren • Identification(medicalandreligiousactivities,armedforces,press,installationsandworkscontainingdangerousforces,culturalpropertyandplacesofworship)

• Structuresprovidingprotectionandassistance(NationalRedCrossorRedCrescentSociety,civildefence,nationalinformationbureau,protectedzonesandlocalities,gravesregistrationservice)

• Environment • Militaryplanning(separationofmilitaryobjectivesandcivilianobjects,determinationofthelawfulnessofnewweapons)

AnnExES 73

NBThisisasimplifiedversionofamoredetailedmodelavailablefromtheICRCAdvisoryService.

5) conclusions and recommendations[Summary of conclusions of sections II and IV, and recommendationsrelatingtomeasurestobetaken]

AnnEx

[Listoflawsandotherlegalinstrumentscited]


ANNEX 4: MODEL PLAN OF ACTION

PLAN OF ACTION FOR [PERIOD] OF THE [NAME] COMMITTEE, ADOPTED ON [DATE]

DISTRIBUTION LIST

1) objectives, strategies and responsibilitiesa)Participationintreatiesandexaminationofvalidityofreservations

Example Objective:promotingratificationoftheAnti-PersonnelMineBanConvention. Strategy:presentargumentstotheMinistryofDefence. Responsibilityforpursuingtheobjective:MinistryofDefencerepresentativeonthecommittee.

b)Adoptionofnationalimplementationmeasures Example Objective:implementationoftheStatuteoftheInternationalCriminalCourt. Strategy:prepareadraftbillforsubmissiontoparliament. Responsibilityforpursuingtheobjective:committeeworkinggroupin chargeoftherepressionofwarcrimes.

c)Monitoringofnewdevelopmentsininternationalhumanitarianlawon thenationalandinternationallevels Example Objective:monitoringtheproceedingsofaninternationalconferenceoninternationalhumanitarianlawandensuringthattheyaresubsequentlytakenintoaccountbytheauthorities. Strategy:advisetheauthoritiesduringpreparationsfortheconferenceandtakepartinitasanexpertoramemberofthedelegationofthe Stateinquestion. Responsibilityforpursuingtheobjective:MinistryofForeignAffairsrepresentativeonthecommittee.

AnnExES 75

d)Internaloperationofthecommittee Example Objective:amendmentofthecommittee’scharter. Strategy:adoptanewdraftandsubmitittotheauthoritytowhichthe committeeisattached. Responsibilityforpursuingtheobjective:committee,inplenarysession.

2) Events and contactsa)Participationin/organizationofconferences,seminarsandstudysessions [Subjects,dates,places]

b)Contactswithothercommittees [Countriesofcommitteesinquestion,issuestobediscussed,dates,places]

3) Budgeta)Amountrequired [Allocation]

b)Fundsavailableandtobesought [Allocation,sourceandstrategyforsecuringpossiblebudgetincrease]

4) Schedule[Datesofplenarymeetingsandknowndeadlines]


ANNEX 5: MODEL WORKSHEET

[INSERT SUBJECT]: WORKSHEET NO. …

(UPDATED ON DAY/MONTH/YEAR)

1) Provision(s) to be implementeda) Internationallegalbasis

• Name(s)oftreaty(ies)concerned • Numberandcontentofarticle(s)concerned

b)NationallegalbasisName(s)oflaw(s)incorporatingthetreaty(ies)mentionedabove

2) Status of the issuea)Existingmeasures[Description]b)Actionalreadytakenandresultsachieved(chronologicalorder)

• Authority(ies)takingaction(executiveandlegislativeauthorities,committee,oneofitsworkinggroupsormembers)

• Actiontakenandresult(s)achievedc) Analysisofnecessaryimplementationmeasures

• Shortcomings • Measure(s)tobetakentoremedythoseshortcomings

3) Proposal of practical measures and submission to the authority responsible for the matterExample:“Thecommitteeproposesthatthereportoftheworkinggroup,togetherwithadraftbilltoamendthecriminalcode,besubmittedtotheministerforjustice,witharequestthattheministerrecommendactiononthecommittee’sproposal.”

4) follow-upa)Dateofsubmissiontotherelevantauthority,periodallowedforreplyandcontactswiththeauthorityconcerned

b)Issueofareminderbythecommitteewithinthetimeframeestablished

c) Replyfromtheauthority

AnnExES 77

5) Budgetary implicationsa)Measure(s)

• Ministry(ies)orauthority(ies)responsibleforthematter[whereappropriate,indicatetheworkinggrouporsubcommitteeinchargeandthename,position,address,telephoneandfaxnumbers,ande-mailaddressofitschairperson]

• Financialimplications[amountandsource]b)Measure(s)

AnnExES

[Documentsrelatingtotheissueinquestion,suchasreportsoftheworkinggrouporsubcommitteeinchargeofthematter,thetextofthelaworregulationtobeamendedwithindicationofsource,thetextofthedraftlaw,regulationoradministrativemeasurepreparedbythecommittee]


ANNEX 6: MODEL ANNUAL REPORT

ANNUAL REPORT FOR [YEAR] OF THE [NAME] COMMITTEE

1) Introduction[Distribution,reminderofthecommittee’smandateandcomposition]

2) organization and structurea)Plenarymeeting(s)ofthecommittee

• Date(s) • Matter(s)dealtwith

b)Opinions,recommendationsandreportsadoptedbythecommitteec) Date(s)ofadoptionandissue(s)addressedd)Workinggroups

• Numberandsubjectsdealtwith • Chairpersonshipandcomposition • Report(s)adopted

3) Specific activities and resultsa)Promotionofparticipationintreatiesandanalysisofthevalidityof reservations • Activitiesundertaken(especiallythoseprovidedforintheplanof action)[Dates,roleplayedbythecommittee,etc.]

• Result(s)achievedb)Adoptionofnationalimplementationmeasures

• Activitiesundertaken(especiallythoseprovidedforintheplanof action)[Dates,roleplayedbythecommittee,etc.]

• Result(s)achievedc)Monitoringofnewdevelopmentsininternationalhumanitarianlawon thedomesticandinternationallevels • Activitiesundertaken(especiallythoseprovidedforintheplanof action)[Dates,roleplayedbythecommittee,etc.]

• Result(s)achieved

AnnExES 79

d)Cooperation • Activitiesundertaken(especiallythoseprovidedforintheplanofaction)[Dates,roleplayedbythecommitteeintakingpartinororganizingconferences, seminars, study sessions; contacts with othercommitteesorentitiesinchargeofimplementationofinternationalhumanitarianlaw]

• Result(s)achieved

4) Evaluationa)Generalworkofthecommitteeb)Commentsonspecificactivitiesorresults

AnnExES

AnnexI ReportsonmeetingsAnnexII ReportsofworkinggroupsAnnexIII Textsofopinionsandrecommendations,andofanydraftlawor

documentpreparedbythecommitteeduringtheyear


ANNEX 7: MODEL TERMS OF REFERENCE

TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE [NAME] COMMITTEE

• creation and mandateThe XX National Committee for the Implementation of InternationalHumanitarianLaw(“thecommittee”)wasestablishedinXXby(decree,decision, etc.) with the purpose of disseminating, promoting andimplementingIHLatthenational level,aswellasadvising,onrequest,memberentitiesonanyquestionorissuerelatedtoIHLdomesticallyorglobally.

• Status and structurea)ThecommitteeshallhavethestatusofapermanentStandingCommitteeundertheministryofXX.

b)ThecommitteeshallbechairedbytheministryofXX;theministryof XXshallserveasvice-chairandthesecretariatshallbeprovidedby theministryofXX.

• compositiona)Thecommitteeshallconsistofthefollowing:

• representative(s)oftheministryofdefence/defenceforces • representative(s)oftheministryofforeignaffairs • representative(s)oftheministryofjustice • representative(s)oftheministryofhomeaffairs/policeservices • representative(s)oftheNationalAssembly • representative(s)ofthejudiciary(individualcapacity) • representative(s)oftheNationalRedCrossorRedCrescentSociety • representative(s)ofacademia • representative(s)ofcivilsociety • representative(s)ofthemedia

b)Thecommitteeshallhavethepowertoamenditscompositionto includeadditionalgovernmentrepresentatives,asrelevant,and/orotherentitieswhoseactivitiesareconnectedwithinternationalhumanitarianlaw.

c) Thecommitteeshallhavethepowertoco-optcitizenswhohavedemonstratedknowledge,expertiseandunderstandinginsuchfieldsas internationallaw,humanitarianaction,communication,socialwelfare,etc.

AnnExES 81

d)ArepresentativeoftheInternationalCommitteeoftheRedCrossmaybeco-optedonanad-hocbasistoprovideIHLperspectivestothenationalIHLcommitteeorparticipateasanobserver.

• functionsthe committee shall:a)promotetheratificationofandadherencetoIHLinstrumentsb)adviseandassistgovernmentinimplementingIHLinstrumentsc) advisegovernmentonanyamendmenttoexistinglegislationwith a viewtoensuringcompliancewithIHLinstruments

d)advisethenationalauthoritiesonissuesrelatingtotheimplementationofIHLandformulaterecommendationsandproposalsinthisregard

e)monitorimplementationofsuchrecommendationsandproposalsf) ensurecooperationandcoordinationamongstakeholderswith regardtoimplementationoftheState’sobligationsunderthevariousIHL instrumentstowhichitisaparty

g)maintainrelationsandexchangeinformationontheiractivitiesand experienceswithsimilarentitiesinothercountries(peer-topeerandregionalmeetings)

h)supportglobalandregionalinitiativesaimedatdevelopingand strengtheningIHL(e.g.followupresolutionsadoptedduringthe InternationalConferenceoftheRed CrossandRed Crescent)

i) exerciseanyotherfunctionsthatarenecessarytofulfilthemandateof thecommittee.

• Procedurea)ThecommitteeshallmeetXXtimesayear.b)Thesecretariat,inconsultationwiththechairperson,mayconveneanextraordinarymeetingofthecommitteetoconsideramatterthat requiresitsurgentconsideration.

c) Thecommitteeshallbeentitledtoestablishsubcommitteestoconsiderspecificissuescomingwithinthepurviewoftheirmandate,andtheirnumberandresponsibilitieswillbedeterminedbyaninternalregulation.

d)ThecommitteeshallprepareandsubmitannualreportstotheNationalAssemblyandtheheadsofdepartmentsandagenciesrepresentedon thecommitteebyXX.

e) Thecommitteeshallestablishaninternalregulationtodefineits workingmethods.

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MISSION

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is an impartial, neutral and independent organization whose exclusively humanitarian mission is to protect the lives and dignity of victims of armed conflict and other situations of violence and to provide them with assistance. The ICRC also endeavours to prevent suffering by promoting and strengthening humanitarian law and universal humanitarian principles. Established in 1863, the ICRC is at the origin of the Geneva Conventions and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. It directs and coordinates the international activities conducted by the Movement in armed conflicts and other situations of violence.

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