1 31st International Conference and the Auxiliary Role of National Societies Kimberly Nina Rajaretnam ICRC Training Workshop on strengthening disaster laws and humanitarian action 11 October 2011 Male, Maldives

2 INTRODUCTION GENERAL ASSEMBLY – Nov 2011 (186 NS & Federation meet to decide general policies) COUNCIL OF DELEGATES – 26 Nov 2011 (Movement meet to discuss matters concerning Movement and adopts agenda) 31 ST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE – 28 Nov – 1 Dec 2011 (186 NS + ICRC + Federation State Parties to GCs)

3 OVERVIEW OF THE 31 ST IC WHEN → 28th November to 1st December 2011 WHERE → Geneva, Switzerland WHO → States Party to the Geneva Conventions and components of the Movement – the ICRC, the National Societies and their International Federation WHAT → Movement's supreme deliberative body that convenes every four years WHY → addresses evolving contemporary humanitarian challenges and the responsibilities of all Conference Members

4 Monday 28 NovTuesday 29 NovWednesday 30 NovThursday 1 Dec Option: Commissions : : Reception Opening Ceremony 1st plenary Formal opening (agenda/officers/speeches) 3rd plenary session Report on MoU (Election results 1st round) 4th plenary session disaster laws issues 1st round SC Election Roll call for election Consolidation of resolutions and implementation guidance etc. Drafting Committee 9: :30 Drafting Committee 2nd plenary session IHL issues Drafting Committee 5th plenary session (closing) Drafting Report Adoption of Resolutions Comm. recommendations (Final SC election results) 2nd round SC Election(if need) Workshops 18: :00 Workshops 18: :00 Meet the SC candidates Structure 5 commissions running twice Commission A: Migration: ensuring access,dignity,respect for diversity, social inclusion Commission B: Partnership for stronger NSs & volunteering development Commission C: Health care in danger Commission D: inequitable access to health care Commission E: IHL Version : 23 Aug 2011 Com A Com B Com C Com D 13:30 – 16:00 Com E Com C Com B Com A 16:30 – 19:00 Com E Com D

5 Strengthening disaster laws IDRL Risk reduction legislation Regulatory barriers to shelter Strengthening IHL Strengthening Legal Protection for Victims of Armed Conflicts IHL & the challenges of contemporary armed conflicts 4 year plan of action Strengthening local humanitarian action Furthering auxiliary role: partnership for stronger NSs & volunteering development Migration: ensuring access, dignity, respect for diversity & social inclusion Addressing barriers to health care 'Health Care in Danger' Addressing equitable access to health services OBJECTIVES Strengthening IHL and humanitarian actions Our world. Your move – for humanity Pledges

6 WHAT IS IHL - Geneva Conventions, Additional Protocols and Customary Law WHEN DOES IHL APPLY ? - in international armed conflict - in non-international armed conflict - NOT in internal disturbances WHO DOES IHL PROTECT? - IHL protects those who are not, or no longer taking part in fighting (civilians, wounded, POWs, etc) - IHL restricts the means and methods of warfare OBJECTIVE 1: STRENGTHENING IHL

7 Two reports form basis of debate: 1.Strengthening Legal Protection for Victims of Armed Conflicts and 2. IHL and the Challenges of Contemporary Armed conflicts – the "Challenges Report" OBJECTIVE 1: STRENGTHENING IHL

8 Four identified IHL areas for strengthening: 1.Protection for persons deprived of liberty * 2.Implementation of IHL* and reparations for victims of violations 3.Protection of IDPs 4.Protection of the natural environment OBJECTIVE 1: STRENGTHENING IHL

9 Challenges Report: IHL & the challenges of contemporary armed conflicts: - overview of current challenges to IHL -background document -includes proposals for strengthening the law 4 year Plan of Action ( ) -overall aim of improving respect for IHL -objectives and recommendations for action on implementation OBJECTIVE 1: STRENGTHENING IHL

10 Respecting and Protecting Health in Armed Conflict and OSVs = Health Care in Danger (HCiD) - addresses violence against health care workers, facilities and beneficiaries -Movement to urge for better access – ensure with Parties the necessary guarantees / practice -HCiD Campaign development of practical measures OBJECTIVE 2: ADDRESSING BARRIERS TO HEALTH CARE

11 Furthering auxiliary role: partnership for stronger National Societies & volunteering development OBJECTIVE 3:STRENGTHENING LOCAL HUMANITARIAN ACTION

12  Role of the Auxiliary – IHL gives NS a special status - Geneva Convention 1- Article 26, etc. - Statutes for the Movement – Articles 3 (1) and 4(3) - 27th International Conference – Plan of Action - Resolution 2 from the 30 th International Conference AUXILIARY ROLE OF NATIONAL SOCIETIES

13  Plan of Action from the 27 th IC called for “an in-depth study into the working relationship between States and National Societies, taking into account the changing needs in the humanitarian, health and social fields, the auxiliary role of National Societies and the evolving role of the State, the private sector and voluntary organizations in service provision”. AUXILIARY ROLE OF NATIONAL SOCIETIES

14 Relationship between the State and National Society - States have primary responsibility/ NS as a supporting role i.e. in disaster preparedness and response, community based health service, etc. Cooperation between National Societies and the Movement - NS role creates its own neutral, impartial, humanitarian space – allows access/operate freely Fundamental Principles (Humanity, Impartiality and Neutrality) - NS obliged to adhere to the fundamental principles and States obliged to respect this obligation AUXILIARY ROLE OF NATIONAL SOCIETIES

Fundamental principles of the Movement Humanity Impartiality Neutrality Independence Voluntary Service Unity Universality ICRC

16  Strengthening legal protection for victims of armed conflicts  Four-year action plan for IHL  Strengthening disaster laws  Respecting and Protecting Health Care in armed conflict and other situations of violence  Health inequities with a focus on women and children  Furthering the auxiliary role: partnership for stronger NSs & volunteering development  Migration: ensuring access, dignity, respect for diversity & social inclusion EXPECTED RESOLUTIONS

17  Commitments to carry out actions in support of the implementation of resolutions adopted by the Conference  By any participants, individually and/or collectively  Pledge guidelines sent with convocation in May  Model pledges  Participants are encouraged to submit their pledges from September onwards at PLEDGES

18 MORE

19 ICRC Mr Bruce Biber, Head of the Division for Cooperation and Coordination within the Movement, ICRC, Tel.: Ms Victoria Gardener, Head of the Unit for Movement Meetings Tel.: CONTACT PERSONS IFRC Mr Frank Mohrhauer, Head of Governance Support, Policy Implementation and Oversight Department, IFRC, Tel.: Ms Yulia Gusynina, Coordinator of the International Conference and Council of Delegates, IFRC, Tel.: Standing Commission Ms Helena Korhonen, Head of Secretariat Tel.: , Commissioner of the 31 st International Conference H.E. Mr. Jean-François Paroz Tel.: ,