[Flash News] New website launch - Palestinian factions - Trainings to ELN

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A new website for Geneva Call

Geneva Call has released a new website to enhance the sharing of information, news and documents on its humanitarian work with armed non-State actors. Thanks to its user-friendly design, the visitor will find the information he needs easily whether using a computer, tablet or mobile phone. Please visit us on www.genevacall.org

Palestinian factions in Lebanon adopt a declaration on the protection of children

At the invitation of Geneva Call, nine Palestinian factions attended a roundtable discussion on the protection of children from the effects of armed conflict and violence in Mieh Mieh refugee camp, Lebanon, on 17 December. The event was the result of a year of preparation and led to the adoption of a declaration by the factions’ two main umbrella organizations in Lebanon: the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Forces of the Palestinian National Coalition ('Tahaluf').

With this declaration, the factions commit to the highest international standards on the protection of children. “We condemn the use of children in all forms of armed action, regardless of its aims. We pledge to take all practical means to ensure that children under eighteen will not take any direct part in hostilities. We similarly condemn the targeting of civilians and their property, of educational and health institutions, and any other public utilities within the camps”, said the PLO and the Tahaluf."We declare our absolute willingness to cooperate with all concerned parties to ensure the implementation of the provisions of the present declaration", the statement continued.

The Palestinian factions present at the roundtable discussion included Fatah, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine - General Command, Palestinian Liberation Front, Palestinian Arabic Front, Nidal Front, People's Party, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. Geneva Call will continue the dialogue with the factions and engage with all stakeholders for the implementation and respect of this declaration.

Full text of the declaration can be found here: http://bit.ly/1aCrIM7

Training on International Humanitarian Law for members of the ELN in prison in Colombia

In late 2013, with the support of the University of San Buenaventura and independent experts, Geneva Call held an International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and International Human Rights Law (IHRL) course for ten ELN (National Liberation Army) members in the Bellavista prison in Medellín. The ELN is the second largest insurgent group in Colombia.

The participants, several of whom were high-ranking commanders, had previously operated in different regions of Colombia. Over eight daily sessions, they debated the normative framework of IHL, IHRL and transitional justice with the trainers, and the challenges in applying it in the Colombian context.

“Any trainer who thinks they will be coming here to give a normal lecture has no idea of the immense challenge that awaits. This is a table of dialogue, an eye opener,” said one of the trainers. Although discussions were sometimes challenging, trainees agreed that “As an armed group, we must progressively apply the rules of IHL, not just conform with existing internal regulations, but go beyond that and protect the people.”

Trainees also agreed to review internal ELN regulations in light of international norms and make recommendations to the leadership for improvements.

Geneva Call would like to thank the Colombian authorities, especially the Instituto Nacional Penitenciario y Carcelario (INPEC), for making the training possible.

Geneva Call donors meeting

Last 16 January, Geneva Call presented its 2014 strategy to its main donors and supporters. The meeting started with an introductory speech by Peter Maurer, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) who highlighted the complementarity between the missions carried out by the ICRC and Geneva Call.

The participants were then guided through a fictitious scenario based on real situations that Geneva Call has dealt with over the last few years. This innovative approach helped guests better understand the challenges Geneva Call faces in engaging armed non-State actors. Geneva Call also benefited from participants’ numerous questions, remarks and feedback.

Several donors reiterated their support to Geneva Call, underlining its innovative and highly unique activity, and the need to maintain such engagement work with armed non-State actors to improve the protection of civilians in armed conflict.

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