أ) أهداف التعهد
This pledge aims to support and promote the establishment, enhancement, and effective functioning of National Committees or similar entities on IHL. Such Committees play a critical role in ensuring national implementation of IHL instruments, monitoring new developments in IHL and considering their domestic implications, disseminating knowledge of IHL among the domestic population, and supporting other States in meeting IHL obligations and promoting IHL domestically.
This pledge is made in alignment with Resolution 1 of the 34th International Conference on Building a universal culture of compliance with international humanitarian law. It encourages States to strengthen the role of their national committee or similar entity on IHL or to consider establishing such a committee where none exists, and to ensure that States know where they can draw on support and good practice from others.
Resources:
- National Committees and Similar Entities on International Humanitarian Law: Guidelines for Success | International Committee of the Red Cross (icrc.org)
- Bringing IHL Home through Domestic Law and Policy: Report
- The well-trodden path of national international humanitarian law committees (icrc.org)
ب) خطة العمل:
- Establishment of National Committees or similar entities on IHL: Encourage States that have not yet established such Committees to initiate the process. Provide guidance on the structure, roles and responsibilities of such Committees Consider, where relevant, the involvement of the National Red Cross or Red Crescent Society in supporting the establishment of the Committee and consider involving representatives of the National Society in the Committee once it starts operating.
- Overcoming Domestic Challenges: Organise interactive sessions to identify and address challenges faced by States in establishing and operating such Committees. Offer practical solutions and advice on overcoming possible obstacles, focusing on a whole-of-government approach.
- Ensuring meaningful role and mandate: Consider granting the Committee with functions that will contribute to creating a culture of respect for IHL, including, as appropriate in each State, being able to make proposals in the fields of IHL dissemination, legislative reform and reviews of domestic policies related to IHL. Consider the adoption of annual or multiyear plans of action presenting the objectives and activities to be initiated or led by the Committee to support the domestic implementation and promotion of IHL. Consider presenting annual reports on the activities and achievements of the Committee.
- Knowledge Sharing and Capacity Building: Facilitate knowledge exchange through international dialogue, mentoring, and partnerships. Strengthen collaboration between National Committees and similar entities on IHL at the universal, and, as applicable, regional and/or Commonwealth levels to enhance their effectiveness and mutual support.
ج) مؤشرات قياس التقدم المحرز
- Increased number of States establishing and operationalising National IHL Committees or similar entities on IHL.
- Evidence of increased dissemination of IHL domestically, including public campaigns, educational programs, and governmental outreach.
- Documented partnerships and mentorship initiatives between States to support capacity building and the establishment of Committees.
- Feedback from participating States on challenges addressed and improvements made to their Committees.
د) الآثار المترتبة على الموارد:
- Financial Support: Allocation of national budgets to establish and sustain Committees drawing on best practice from other States with National Committees or similar entities on IHL.
- Technical Assistance: Provision of technical expertise and training from IHL bodies, such as the International Committee of the Red Cross, or the National Red Cross or Red Crescent Society, to guide the formation and function of Committees.
- Human Resources: Dedicated staffing for Committees, including legal experts, IHL specialists, and governmental representatives, to ensure the effective promotion and implementation of IHL.
- International Collaboration: Support from existing Committees – including support from universal, and, as applicable, regional and/or Commonwealth forums for National IHL Committees – and to mentor and partner with newly established Committees or similar entities on IHL, fostering cooperation and capacity-building initiatives.