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Dissemination of knowledge about international humanitarian law (IHL) and the basic principles of the Red Cross
August 12, 2019 marked the 70th anniversary of the adoption of the Geneva Conventions. The IHL regulates the basic obligation of combatants during armed conflict - that all human beings must be treated humanely, including combatants of the other side, without assessing the motive and legality of hostilities. The Geneva Conventions explicitly state that any person who does not take part or no longer takes an active part in hostilities is entitled to protection and must be treated humanely.
Bulgaria has ratified the Geneva Conventions and has consistently complied with its commitments. In February 2019, with a Decree of the Council of Ministers in Bulgaria, a National Committee on International Humanitarian Law was established to assist state institutions in the application of IHL norms and in the implementation of the Geneva Conventions. The Bulgarian Red Cross is the main partner of the state in this field.
The 1949 Geneva Conventions, signed and ratified by all UN member states and inspired and guarded by the International Committee of the Red Cross, as well as their 1977 Additional Protocols, are among the few treaties that explicitly include the content requirement. to be widely disclosed.
In fulfillment of its statutory obligations and the Law on the Bulgarian Red Cross and as a unique institution in the country, which consistently contributes to the dissemination of international humanitarian values, the national company emphasizes its efforts to achieve in Bulgaria understanding, respect and support of international humanitarian law and the role and basic principles of the Red Cross movement, in order to promote attitudes towards the prevention of violence, human suffering and intolerance.
In the name of this goal, the Bulgarian Red Cross provides and distributes manuals, collections, brochures, videos and other specialized materials dedicated to the regulation and limitation of methods and means of warfare, and periodically conducts courses and seminars on international humanitarian law and human rights for different audiences - officers of the armed forces and security services, Red Cross employees and volunteers, journalists, representatives of state institutions and non-governmental organizations, as well as academia and medicine.
In order to provide further support for these dissemination efforts and to carry out effective preventive activities against protected categories of persons and objects in the event of armed conflict, the Bulgarian Red Cross cooperates in the field of training in international humanitarian law and publicity of its norms. with the relevant national institutions, making efforts to create a network of full-time and voluntary promoters in the country. The BRC also systematically supports the efforts of the Bulgarian government and international organizations to disclose, implement and improve existing international humanitarian law provisions, to establish national mechanisms for their implementation and to organize media campaigns in connection with the numerous cases of violations of human norms in worldwide, including the use of non-selective weapons and military tactics and the involvement of children in paramilitary activities.
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40 years of the Additional Protocols
On June 8, 2017, the Additional Protocols to the Geneva Conventions of 1949 will mark its 40th anniversary. The practical significance of the Additional Protocols today is very great in terms of the humanitarian impact on the lives of people affected by armed conflict. Today, the Additional Protocols are among the most widely ratified instruments in the world. Together with the 1949 Geneva Conventions, the protocols form the basis of the IHL and are the cornerstone of the protection and respect for human dignity in armed conflict.
In the two decades since the adoption of the four Geneva Conventions, the world has witnessed a growing number of non-international armed conflicts and wars of national liberation. In response, additional protocols were adopted by 124 countries, including many emerging countries, in 1977. The protocols confirm and develop the rules of international humanitarian law (IHL). They strengthen the protection of victims of armed conflict from international (Protocol I) and non-international (Protocol II) and set limits on the way in which wars can be fought. Protocol II is the first international treaty devoted exclusively to situations of non-international armed conflict. The Additional Protocols are still one of the most important international instruments applicable in modern conflicts, protecting civilians from the worst consequences of war and leading the parties to armed conflict while applicable in the new international realities. This makes them one of the most important tools for the protection and respect for life and human dignity in armed conflict.
40 years after their adoption, the Additional Protocols are more valid than ever!
For more information, open the attached file.
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Adoption of an important international treaty banning nuclear weapons
A treaty on a total ban on nuclear weapons was adopted at a UN international conference in New York on July 7. The agreement was approved by 122 member countries of the organization. It aims at a total ban on the production, use and proliferation of nuclear weapons. The text provides for the destruction of existing nuclear weapons by the parties ratifying the treaty. In parallel with the ban, the agreement seeks to provide assistance to victims affected by the use of this type of weapon.
The treaty will be opened for signing on September 20, 2017 and will enter into force 90 days after it is ratified by 50 countries.
The adoption of the agreement demonstrates the recognition, at international level, of the risks posed by nuclear weapons. The treaty is based on the principles of humanitarian law and aims to avoid the catastrophic consequences of the use of dangerous weapons. The treaty, adopted on July 7, clearly and comprehensively bans nuclear weapons; It has strong commitments to assist victims of the use of nuclear weapons and facilitates the recovery of contaminated environments. The Prohibition Treaty is also a concrete step towards fulfilling existing commitments and international obligations on nuclear disarmament, in particular those of Article VI of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
The International Committee of the Red Cross, as well as the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, welcome the adoption of the agreement and consider it an important step towards achieving a total ban and the destruction of nuclear weapons. The movement has long called for a ban and the elimination of nuclear weapons, and this treaty is an important step towards achieving these goals.
More information about the conference and the contract can be found here
BRC and Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the first general edition of International Humanitarian Law
The Bulgarian Red Cross and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria have published a summary of the first report "Review and Assessment of Compliance with Bulgarian Legislation and National Measures for the Implementation of International Humanitarian Law".
The Report and the Summary are part of the initiatives within the activities of the National Committee on International Humanitarian Law chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The summary provides a reading of the main statements regarding the application of IHL, the compliance of Bulgarian legislation, as well as recommendations for promoting and increasing respect for IHL norms.
The preparation of the Summary was carried out under the editorship of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Snezhana Botusharova and with the kind support of the International Committee of the Red Cross.
The summary of the report can be found in the attached file at the top of the page
