Resolution on Respect for International Humanitarian Law and Support for Humanitarian Action in Armed Conflicts

Jurisdiction
African Regional Bodies · African Union (AU)
Citation
CM/Res.1526 (LX)
Regional Body / Author
Organisation of the African Union
Date
11 June 1994
Language
English
Type
Resolution
Download
Download DOCX (10.1 KB)

CM/Res.1526 (LX)

 

 

 

RESOLUTION ON RESPECT FOR INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW AND SUPPORT FOR HUMANITARIAN ACTION IN ARMED CONFLICTS

 

 

The Council of Ministers of the Organization of African Unity meeting in its Sixtieth Ordinary Session in Tunis, Tunisia, from 6 to 11 June, 1994,

 

Having considered the report of the Secretariat on the Information Day jointly organized by the OAU and the ICRC on International Humanitarian Law and the activities of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 7 April, 1994, as attached to the report of the OAU Committee of Fifteen on Refugees,

 

Bearing in mind the recommendations of this sensitization seminar on International Humanitarian Law and the activities of the International Committee of the Red cross (ICRC),

 

Gravely concerned by the indiscriminant massacres taking place in the theatres of armed conflict,

 

Considering that the rules and fundamental principles of international humanitarian law constitute an accepted set of universal values that have not yet been sufficiently implemented,

 

Anxious to see that international humanitarian law becomes better known to all

the people,

 

Aware of the need to strengthen international solidarity in order to protect the victims of armed conflict,

 

Expressing support to peace initiatives taken by the OAU and other organizations to avert armed conflict and relieve tension,

 

Convinced of the important role played by the humanitarian organizations in protecting and assisting victims in the event of armed conflicts:

 

  1. TAKES NOTE of the recommendations of the OAU/ICRC first seminar organized jointly by the OAU and the ICRC on international humanitarian law held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 7 April, 1994;

 

  1. DEPLORES the fact that the civilian population in general, and women and children in particular, are the main victims of hostilities and of acts of violence perpetrated during armed conflict;

 

  1. AFFIRMS its conviction that respect for the basic rules of international humanitarian law helps not only to relieve the suffering of all the victims and provide them with effective protection, but also to create an atmosphere conducive to dialogue and the restoration of peace;

  1. URGES all Member States and warring parties to provide assistance and protection and to facilitate the action of the humanitarian agents during armed conflicts and to respect the Red Cross, Red Crescent and other humanitarian organization emblems;

 

  1. CONDEMNS the attacks and killings of the staff of humanitarian organizations and URGES Member States and warring parties to insure their safety;

 

  1. INVITES all States that have not yet become party to the instruments listed below to consider, or reconsider, without delay the possibility of doing so in the near future:

 

    1. the two Protocols additional to the Geneva Conventions of 1949;

 

    1. the Convention of Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons which may be deemed to be Excessively Injurious or to have Indiscriminate Effects, of 10 October 1980;

 

    1. the Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, of 14 May 1954;

 

 

  1. REQUESTS Member States to educate their population on the fundamental rules and principles of the International Humanitarian Law;

 

  1. PAYS TRIBUTE to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), UNHCR and other humanitarian organizations for their courage, their devotion and the service rendered to the victims of armed conflict and to refugees;

 

  1. INVITES the Secretary-General to strengthen its cooperation with the humanitarian organizations including ICRC in conflict and war situations as well as to promote knowledge of international humanitarian law.

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