Acciones tomadas:
The British Red Cross is pleased to provide the following report on the actions taken to implement this pledge.
We have structured our response according to the action plan for this pledge.
Commission research on domestic activities to implement IHL, if appropriate in collaboration with the relevant State, National IHL Committee or Commission and/or National Society.
The UK’s first Voluntary Report on the Implementation of IHL at the Domestic Level was launched in 2019 and was promoted at the 33rd International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent. Starting in 2023, under the auspices of the UK National Committee on IHL, UK government officials and the British Red Cross have been working together to update the report, which is due to be published before the 34th International Conference.
In 2021, the British Red Cross contributed to the UK’s first national report on the implementation of the 1954 Hague Convention and its Protocols to UNESCO. The report can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-uks-first-periodic-report-implementation-of-the-1954-hague-convention-and-protocols
Compile and, as appropriate, make public this research on domestic activities to implement IHL
Since the 33rd International Conference, the UK, with the support of the British Red Cross, has promoted its Voluntary Report in the following ways:
Online at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/implementation-of-international-humanitarian-law-at-domestic-level-voluntary-report. A link to the report can also be found on the UK Government’s guidance on the UK and IHL: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/international-humanitarian-law-and-the-uk-government/uk-and-international-humanitarian-law-2018
On 25 May 2022, at the UN Security Council open debate on the protection of civilians, Ambassador James Roscoe referred to the UK report and to the UK and British Red Cross project to support other States to undertake voluntary reporting: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/wherever-there-is-war-or-armed-conflict-civilians-are-always-caught-in-the-middle-uk-statement-at-the-un-security-council
Distribution of copies of the UK’s Voluntary Report at relevant conferences and meetings.
Reference to the report was made in the UK’s follow-up to UNGA Res 73/204 (“Status of the Protocols Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and relating to the protection of victims of armed conflicts”).
On 21 May 2024, at the UN Security Council meeting on the protection of civilians in armed conflict, Ambassador James Kariuki mentioned the UK’s work to update its Voluntary Report and encouraged other states to undertake similar exercises: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/warring-parties-must-fully-comply-with-international-humanitarian-law-and-protect-civilians-uk-statement-at-the-un-security-council
Consider using existing implementation reports as a model for such compilation and publication.
As part of the scoping study before undertaking the update of the UK’s Voluntary Report, we reviewed all publicly available voluntary reports published since the first UK report, to determine whether there were any structural or substantive elements which the UK should consider when updating its voluntary report.
Consider using the implementation report toolkit published by the Government of the United Kingdom and the British Red Cross.
Since the 33rd International Conference, the UK translated its implementation report toolkit into 7 other languages. The download statistics for each language are as follows:
Language/Unique downloads
Arabic/14
Chinese/6
English/371
French/7
Kiswahili/2
Portuguese (European)/1
Russian/3
Spanish/6
Total downloads/410
Consider seeking the support of other States, National Societies and/or the International Committee of the Red Cross in the above research, compilation and publication.
The UK and the British Red Cross have received positive feedback about the first voluntary report and about the implementation report toolkit from States and National Societies. This has helped to inform the preparation of the updated version of the voluntary report.
Explore opportunities to exchange, with other States, and if appropriate in collaboration with National IHL Committees or Commissions and/or National Societies, this research and any subsequent compilation and publication.
2020
From 2020 to 2022, the UK and the British Red Cross conducted a joint project to encourage other States to undertake voluntary reporting on their implementation of IHL at the domestic level. Several States were approached by the UK through diplomatic channels to determine their interest. The BRC then engaged with interested States to support with resourcing (including finding relevant experts), reviewing and translating drafts. Regrettably, the COVID-19 pandemic impeded these efforts. Nevertheless, meaningful direct support was provided to several States.
2021
The British Red Cross co-organised the 5th Meeting of Commonwealth National Committees on International Humanitarian Law with the ICRC and the UK National IHL Committee. Committees came together to discuss current issues in IHL and to consider ways of effectively promoting and implementing IHL within the framework of shared legal traditions – including by undertaking voluntary reporting. The report from that meeting, including references to voluntary reporting, can be found at the following link: https://www.icrc.org/en/document/fifth-meeting-representatives-national-ihl-committees-commonwealth-countries-report.
The UK and the British Red Cross supported a joint Swiss / ICRC event on voluntary reports on national implementation of International Humanitarian Law. The event aimed to promote voluntary reporting by sharing practical experiences and tools needed to draft a voluntary report. The UK delegation delivered statements on guidelines and toolkits, budgeting and financial support, and the implementation of the 1954 Hague Convention on cultural property protection during armed conflicts.
The British Red Cross provided funding to the ICRC to promote the production of voluntary reports by Commonwealth countries in Asia-Pacific, Central America and the Caribbean.
2022
The UK, with support from the British Red Cross, promoted use of the UK template questionnaire by States in reporting on their follow-up to the biennial UN General Assembly Resolution on the Status of the Protocols Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and relating to the protection of victims of armed conflict. The template helps to provide some consistency in voluntary State reporting on the Protocols. The British Red Cross helped to draft the template questionnaire. The UK’s completed questionnaire can be found on the UK Government website: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/international-humanitarian-law-uk-developments-and-activities-2020-to-2022 . These actions were repeated in 2024. The UK’s completed questionnaire for the period 2022 – 2024 will be posted on the UK government website in due course.
The British Red Cross assisted the ICRC with the development of its web page on voluntary reports:
https://www.icrc.org/en/document/voluntary-reports-domestic-implementation-ihl
2023
The British Red Cross co-hosted a panel discussion with the Commonwealth Secretariat on the voluntary reporting of IHL at the domestic level. The panel included officials who have been involved with voluntary reporting (or who are about to undertake voluntary reporting). The in-person audience were representatives from the High Commissions of Commonwealth countries in London. The event was held in a hybrid format and the online audience included government officials based in Commonwealth countries and members of Commonwealth National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
The UK and the British Red Cross participated virtually in the 9th Regional Seminar on Implementing International Humanitarian Law for Eastern African countries. The UK and British Red Cross representatives delivered presentations on the UK experience of producing a voluntary report on the implementation of IHL at domestic level. The following States were represented: Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda. South Africa was also represented.
A British Red Cross representative presented at an ICRC IHL workshop in Baku, Azerbaijan. The workshop considered the establishment of a National IHL Committee and the possible production of a voluntary report on the domestic implementation of IHL in Azerbaijan.
2024
At the 6th Commonwealth Red Cross and Red Crescent Conference on IHL, the Chair of the UK National IHL Committee shared the UK experience of voluntary reporting during a panel discussion on the contribution of Commonwealth States and National Societies to IHL. The British Red Cross also mentioned voluntary reporting in its interventions during the Conference.
Challenges
The response to the UK and British Red Cross joint project on voluntary reporting was reportedly in line with the ICRC’s experience in consulting National IHL Committees on the subject. The main challenges were expected: resources (financial and human), time and support from hierarchy. The responders do confirm the strong interest in voluntary reports and in continuing to arrange exchanges with other States.
Covid-19 and its related disruption exacerbated this pre-existing risk during 2020 and continued to do so throughout the timeframe of the project from 2019-2022.
That said, since the formal project was wound down, we have noted an increased interest from States in voluntary reporting. This is likely, in part, due to greater capacity of States to devote resources to such reporting post-Covid. Moreover, the publication by more States of either their first voluntary report, or updates, may have encouraged other States to do the same. The UK and the British Red Cross continue to support such work, albeit on a more informal basis.
