Humanitarian Assistance and International Humanitarian Law

Summary:

The Council of the European Union adopted on 25 November 2019 a set of conclusions relating humanitarian assistance and international humanitarian law (IHL).

Further information:

The Council reaffirms its strong support for the respect for and the promotion of IHL as operationalised in the EU Guidelines on Promoting Compliance with IHL. The Council also underlines that international law is one of the strongest tools the international community has for ensuring the protection and dignity of all persons and recalls the obligation to respect and ensure respect for it in all circumstances. The conclusions also convey the European Union's commitment to respond to the humanitarian needs around the world, to strengthen coordination between humanitarian, development and peace action, and to address more effectively the humanitarian impact of climate change. The EU's readiness to do its utmost to strengthen effective multilateralism and to promote a rules-based international order where no state or individual is above the law and no person is outside the protection of the law is also highlighted.

The conclusions were meant to guide the common messaging of the European Union and the Member States at the 70th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions and the 33rd International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent.

Official

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 25/11/2019: Humanitarian assistance and international humanitarian law: Council adopts conclusions https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2019/11/25/humanitarian-assistance-and-international-humanitarian-law-council-adopts-conclusions/

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