A) Objectives of the pledge:
Austria, as a core group member, supported the adoption of the Political Declaration on Strengthening the Protection of Civilians from the Humanitarian Consequences Arising from the Use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas (EWIPA Political Declaration) in 2022. To further the implementation of the EWIPA Political Declaration, and in preparation of the first meeting of signatory States in April 2024, Austria organised an International Military Workshop in January 2024 in Vienna.
Austria now wants to lead by example and pledges to develop policies and measures at the domestic level to effectively implement the EWIPA Political Declaration.
This pledge relates to the theme of Commission I at the 34th International Conference of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent (RCRC Conference) entitled “Building a Global Culture of Respect for International Humanitarian Law”. It also contributes to the implementation of the Resolution “Toward a universal culture of compliance with international humanitarian law”, in particular OP3 which “calls upon States to foster a culture of compliance with IHL by ensuring that the highest levels of civilian and military leadership […] systematically incorporate IHL-related considerations into their deliberations, decisions, policies and instructions.”
B) Action plan:
Austria will develop policies and measures at the domestic level to effectively and systematically implement the commitments made in the EWIPA Political Declaration, including drafting a document which shall help to guide the development and conduct of the Austrian Armed Forces in the context of urban warfare.
Austria will also adapt the procedure under Article 36 of Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions in line with the commitments made in the EWIPA Political Declaration. The Article 36 AP I procedure requires Austria to determine, in the study, development, acquisition or adoption of a new weapon, means or method of warfare, whether the employment of such a new weapon, means or method of warfare by its armed forces would in some or all circumstances be prohibited.
C) Indicators for measuring progress:
Progress will be measured by:
- The availability of a document which implements the EWIPA Political Declaration in concrete policies and measures for the development and conduct of the Austrian Armed Forces in the context of urban warfare;
- Completed adaptation of the Article 36 AP I procedure in line with the commitments made in the EWIPA Political Declaration.
D) Resource implications:
The financial and human resources needed for the above-mentioned measures will be provided by Austria.