Actions taken:
Denmark has been a strong supporter of the intergovernmental process on strengthening respect for International Humanitarian Law (IHL) as well as an active participant in the process facilitated by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Switzerland. Denmark has actively participated in the Formal Meetings convened since 2015 as well as in the open-ended consultations and informal meetings preparing for the Formal Meetings.
Despite the unfortunate lack of consensus during the process, Denmark has continued to play a constructive role. Thus, Denmark has engaged in a number of bilateral meetings and consultations with like-minded States as well as other States to encourage stronger participation in the compliance-process in the pursuit of obtaining common ground and a cross-regional way forward.
Denmark has promoted compliance with IHL also in the context of the EU and EU policy papers, and has actively participated in enhancing the EU’s capabilities and structures to strengthen the visibility and coherence of EU action for the promotion of IHL and International Criminal Justice. For instance in April 2019, Denmark has seconded a Danish National Expert as Political Advisor to the EU Special Representative for Human Rights to have particular responsibility for International Humanitarian Law and International Criminal Justice.
Finally, Denmark has throughout the intergovernmental process co-operated closely with Danish Red Cross. Even though Danish Red Cross is not a signatory to this pledge, they have supported Denmark in our above-mentioned efforts and have – as a National Red Cross Society – been active in ICRC’s Open Ended Reference Group in the intergovernmental process and is keen to pursue alternatives following the formal conclusion of the Process in March 2019.
