Geneva Call
 | |
| Motto | "Protecting civilians in armed conflict" |
|---|---|
| Formation | March 2000 |
| Type | NGO |
| Legal status | Non-profit making organization[1] |
| Headquarters | Geneva, Switzerland |
President | Elisabeth Decrey Warner |
Staff | 18 full-time staff (2012)[2] |
| Website | http://www.genevacall.org |
Geneva Call is a neutral and impartial non-governmental organization based in Geneva, Switzerland. The NGO is dedicated to promoting respect by armed non-State actors for international humanitarian norms in armed conflict and other situations of violence, in particular those related to the protection of civilians. Geneva Call is currently focusing its efforts on banning the use of anti-personnel mines, protecting children from the effects of armed conflict, prohibiting sexual violence in armed conflict and working towards the elimination of gender discrimination.
Creation
Some members of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines were concerned that the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction, also known as the Ottawa Treaty, was only binding on states. Geneva Call was created in 1998, one year after the Ottawa Treaty was signed, to begin engaging armed non-State actors on the subject of landmines.
However, Geneva Call took little action until March 2000, at a conference organized by the Swiss Campaign to Ban Landmines called Engaging Non-State Actors in a Landmine Ban. This conference, the first of its kind, created a foundation for approaching armed non-State actors about a landmine ban, and served as the official launch of Geneva Call.[3]
Structure
Geneva Call is a non-profit organization under Swiss law.[3] It is headed by a board composed of local personalities with expertise in international law, in the thematic issues that compose Geneva Call's mission, in business or politics. One member of the board, Elisabeth Decrey-Warner, also serves as the executive president of Geneva Call. The board is organizing an advisory council consisting of further experts in Geneva Call's work.
Geneva Call's headquarters staff is divided into three divisions: Operations, Administration and Finance and Communications[4]
Notable Members
Board members
Micheline Calmy-Rey, Member of the Board, was Switzerland's Foreign Minister as head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. She was a member of the Swiss Federal Council from 2003 to the end of 2011, and was President of the Swiss Confederation in 2007 and again in 2011.
Elisabeth Decrey-Warner, the Executive President and co-founder of Geneva Call,[4] has worked for over 25 years with NGOs on issues relating to refugees, torture, disarmament and humanitarian norms. Her work was recognized in 2005 when she was nominated for Switzerland as one of the 1000 Women for the Nobel Peace Prize. Ms Decrey Warner was a member of the Parliament of the Republic and Canton of Geneva for 12 years and was elected its President in 2000. She is currently a member of the Advisory Board of the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF) as well as of the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD). Ms. Decrey Warner was nominated among the 100 most influential people in violence reduction in armed conflict and was awarded the prestigious Hessen Peace Prize in 2012. In 2013, she was awarded the French Legion of Honour.[5]
Priscilla Hayner, Vice-Chair of the Board of the Geneva Call, was one of the co-founders of the International Center for Transitional Justice and until 2010 served as a program director and then head of the ICTJ Geneva office.
Staff members
Armin Köhli, Geneva Call’s Programme Officer for Middle East, is a double amputee and accomplished cyclist, who placed fifth in the road race event at the 2000 Paralympic Games and won two bronze medals, five silver medals, and two gold medals in the Swiss cycling championships between 1997 and 2003. Mr. Köhli uses cycling competitions as an opportunity to promote awareness for mine action.[6]
Mission
Geneva Call engages with armed non-State actors to encourage them to comply with international humanitarian norms, improving the protection of civilians in armed conflict. These international humanitarian norms are enshrined in the Geneva Conventions and other international treaties. While initially focusing on the ban of anti-personnel mines, Geneva Call has expanded its work into additional areas that deserve specific attention, namely the protection of children in armed conflict – notably from recruitment and use in hostilities – as well as the prohibition of sexual violence and gender discrimination. This expansion was envisioned in Geneva Call’s founding statutes[3] and has also been encouraged by armed non-State actors themselves. Geneva Call has also increasingly provided International Humanitarian Law (IHL) training to armed non-State actors, and advice on how to incorporate IHL rules into their codes of conduct and other internal regulations.
Geneva Call developed an innovative mechanism, the Deed of Commitment that allows armed non-State actors to pledge to respect specific humanitarian norms and be held publicly accountable for their commitments. They cannot become parties to relevant international treaties, and are generally precluded from participating in norm-making processes. Consequently,they may not feel bound to abide by rules that they have neither put forward nor formally adhered to. Sometimes they are simply not aware of their obligations under IHL.
The Deed of Commitment process gives them the opportunity to formally express their agreement to abide by humanitarian norms and take ownership of these rules.
To date, Geneva Call has developed three such documents:
- Deed of Commitment for Adherence to a Total Ban on Anti-Personnel Mines and for Cooperation in Mine Action,[7] launched in 2000 ;
- Deed of Commitment for the Protection of Children from the Effects of Armed Conflict,[8] launched in 2010 ;
- Deed of Commitment for the Prohibition of Sexual Violence in Situations of Armed Conflict and towards the Elimination of Gender Discrimination,[9] launched in 2012.
Geneva Call’s mission is currently divided into four thematic issues: banning anti-personnel mines, protecting children in armed conflict, prohibiting sexual violence and gender discrimination and respect of humanitarian norms.
Landmine ban
The struggle against anti-personnel mines was the original focus of Geneva Call. Geneva Call engages armed non-State actors to reduce the impact of anti-personnel mines on the civilian population by promoting the ban and encouraging cooperation in mine action.
In 2000, Geneva Call launched a first Deed of Commitment under Geneva Call for Adherence to a Total Ban on Anti-Personnel Mines and for Cooperation in Mine Action.[7]
By signing the Deed of Commitment banning anti-personnel mines, armed non-State actors agree, inter alia, to:
- Prohibit under any circumstance the use, production, stockpiling, and transfer of anti-personnel mines;
- Undertake and cooperate in stockpile destruction; mine clearance; victim assistance; mine awareness; and various other forms of mine action, in cooperation with specialized organizations.
In November 2003, the Deed of Commitment banning anti-personnel mines mines was included in the UN Mine Action Guidelines for Ceasefire and Peace Agreements as a mechanism for armed non-State actor engagement.
Child protection
Geneva Call has been involved with child soldiers as early as 2001, when it invited the Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers to a conference on engaging non-state actors to discuss their experiences in that field.
Geneva Call engages armed non-State actors to reduce the effects of armed conflict on children by promoting respect for children’s rights, in particular the prohibition of the recruitment and use of children in hostilities.
In November 2010, Geneva Call launched a second Deed of Commitment, the Deed of Commitment under Geneva Call for the Protection of Children from the Effects of Armed Conflict.[8]
By signing the Deed of Commitment protecting children in armed conflict, armed non-State actors agree, inter alia, to:
- Prohibit the use of children in hostilities;
- Ensure that children are not recruited into, or forcibly associated with, armed forces;
- Release or disassociate children in safety and security;
- Protect children from the effects of military operations;
- Do their best to provide children with the aid and care they need, in cooperation with specialized child protection agencies.
Gender issues
Geneva Call engages armed non-State actors to reduce conflict-related sexual violence, to eliminate gender discrimination and to promote greater participation of women in decision-making processes.
In June 2012, Geneva Call launched a third Deed of Commitment, the Deed of Commitment under Geneva Call for the Prohibition of Sexual Violence in Situations of Armed Conflict and towards the Elimination of Gender Discrimination''.[9]
By signing the Deed of Commitment prohibiting sexual violence and gender discrimination, armed non-State actors agree, inter alia, to:
- Prohibit all forms of sexual violence;
- Prevent and sanction acts of sexual violence;
- Provide victims with access to the assistance and care they need;
- Ensure confidentiality and protection of victims of sexual violence;
- Eliminate discriminatory policies and practices against women or men;
- Ensure greater participation of women in decision-making processes.
Humanitarian norms
In addition to engagement on specific norms (anti-personnel mines ban, protection of children from the effects of armed conflict and prohibition of sexual violence and gender discrimination), Geneva Call seeks to build armed non-State actors knowledge of broad IHL rules, and their capacities to implement them.
In recent years, Geneva Call has increasingly provided trainings and technical advice to armed non-State actors on how to incorporate IHL into their policies, codes of conduct and other internal regulations and on implementation. In some cases, especially where Geneva Call’s current themes of engagement are not priority issues or best starting points for dialogue, activities around IHL can serve as a method for engagement.
Impact
Success
From its inception in 2000, Geneva Call has engaged with about 90 armed non-State actors worldwide and sensitized thousands of their leaders and members on international humanitarian norms. As of today, 43 armed non-State actors have signed the Deed of Commitment banning anti-personnel mines, 9 have signed the Deed of Commitment protecting children in armed conflict, and 7 have signed the newly launched Deed of Commitment prohibiting sexual violence and gender discrimination.
Overall, their compliance record has been good. Except in one case, no conclusive evidence of violation of the Deeds of Commitment has been found to date. Signatories have taken implementing measures and cooperated in the monitoring of their compliance by Geneva Call. In addition, a number of armed non-State actors that have not signed the Deeds of Commitment have nevertheless taken steps towards compliance with international standards, for example by limiting mine use and/or facilitating mine action in areas under their control.
Over the past 14 years, Geneva Call has gained international recognition and support from many quarters, including States Parties to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, the United Nations, the European Union, and the African Union, and is seen today as a global leader and a pioneer in its field.
List of former or current armed non-State actors who have signed one or several Deeds of Commitment[10]
| Name of armed non-State actor | Location (Country) | Deed of Commitment | Date of Adherence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conseil National pour la Défense de la Démocratie-Forces de Défense de la Démocratie (CNDD-FDD) | Burundi | Banning anti-personnel mines | 15 December 2003 |
| Banadiri | Somalia | Banning anti-personnel mines | 11 November 2002 |
| Hiran Patriotic Alliance/Somalia Reconciliation and Restoration Council (HPA/SRRC) | Somalia | Banning anti-personnel mines | 11 November 2002 |
| Jowhar Administration | Somalia | Banning anti-personnel mines | 11 November 2002 |
| Juba Valley Alliance (JVA) | Somalia | Banning anti-personnel mines | 30 January 2005 |
| Puntland State of Somalia (PSS) | Somalia | Banning anti-personnel mines | 11 November 2002 |
| Rahanweyn Resistance Army / Somalia Reconciliation and Restoration Council - Hassan Mohamed Nur “Shatigudud” (RRA/SRRC-Shatigudud) | Somalia | Banning anti-personnel mines | 11 November 2002 |
| Rahanweyn Resistance Army / Somalia Reconciliation and Restoration Council - Sheykh Adan "Madobe" (RRA/SRRC-Madobe) | Somalia | Banning anti-personnel mines | 11 November 2002 |
| Somali African Muki Organization / Somalia Reconciliation and Restoration Council - Nakuru (SAMO/SRRC/Nakuru) | Somalia | Banning anti-personnel mines | 11 November 2002 |
| Somali National Front / Somalia Reconciliation and Restoration Council (SNF/SRRC) | Somalia | Banning anti-personnel mines | 11 November 2002 |
| Somali Patriotic Movement / Somalia Reconciliation and Restoration Council - Aden Abdullahi Nur “Gabyow” (SPM/SRRC-Gabyow) | Somalia | Banning anti-personnel mines | 11 November 2002 |
| Southern Somali National Movement / BIREM (SSNM/BIREM) | Somalia | Banning anti-personnel mines | 11 November 2002 |
| Southern Somali National Movement/ Somalia National Army / Somalia Reconciliation and Restoration Council (SSNM/SNA/SRRC) | Somalia | Banning anti-personnel mines | 11 November 2002 |
| Transitional National Government (TNG) | Somalia | Banning anti-personnel mines | 11 November 2002 |
| United Somali Congress / North Mogadishu/ Somalia Reconciliation and Restoration Council (USC/North Mogadishu/SRRC) | Somalia | Banning anti-personnel mines | 11 November 2002 |
| United Somali Congress / Somali Salvation Army (USC/SSA) | Somalia | Banning anti-personnel mines | 11 November 2002 |
| United Somali Congress / Somalia National Army/ Somalia Reconciliation and Restoration Council (USC/SSA/SRRC) | Somalia | Banning anti-personnel mines | 11 November 2002 |
| United Somali Congress / Somalia National Army/ Somalia Reconciliation and Restoration Council / Nakuru (USC/SSA/SRRC/Nakuru) | Somalia | Banning anti-personnel mines | 11 November 2002 |
| Justice and Equality Mouvement (JEM) | Sudan | Banning anti-personnel mines | 20 April 2012 |
| Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) | Sudan | Banning anti-personnel mines | 4 October 2001 |
| Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) | Sudan | Banning anti-personnel mines | 29 August 2013 |
| Popular Front for the Liberation of Saguia el Hamra and Rio de Oro (Polisario Front) | Western Sahara | Banning anti-personnel mines | 5 November 2005 |
| Arakan Rohingya National organization (ARNO) | Burma/Myanmar | Banning anti-personnel mines | 17 October 2003 |
| Chin National Front/Army (CNF/CNA) | Burma/Myanmar | Banning anti-personnel mines Prohibiting sexual violence and gender discrimination Protecting children in armed conflict |
31 July 2006 19 March 2014 19 March 2014 |
| Karen National Union/Karen National Liberation Army (KNU/KNLA) | Burma/Myanmar | Protecting children in armed conflict Prohibiting sexual violence and gender discrimination |
21 July 2013 21 July 2013 |
| Karenni National Progressive Party/Karenni Army (KNPP/KA) | Burma/Myanmar | Protecting children in armed conflict | 2 August 2012 |
| Lahu Democratic Front (LDF) | Burma/Myanmar | Banning anti-personnel mines | 16 April 2007 |
| National Unity Party of Arakan (NUPA) | Burma/Myanmar | Banning anti-personnel mines | 17 October 2003 |
| New Mon State Party/Mon National Liberation Army (NMSP/ MNLA) | Burma/Myanmar | Protecting children in armed conflict | 2 August 2012 |
| Palaung State Liberation Front (PSLF) | Burma/Myanmar | Banning anti-personnel mines | 16 April 2007 |
| Pa'O Peoples Liberation organization (PPLO) | Burma/Myanmar | Banning anti-personnel mines | 16 April 2007 |
| Kuki National organization (KNO) | India | Banning anti-personnel mines | 9 August 2006 |
| National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isaac Muivah) (NSCM-IM) | India | Banning anti-personnel mines | 17 October 2003 |
| Zomi Re-unification organization (ZRO) | India | Banning anti-personnel mines Prohibiting sexual violence and gender discrimination |
20 February 2009 15 May 2013 |
| Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) | Philippines | Banning anti-personnel mines | 7 April 2002 |
| Revolutionary Workers Party of Mindanao (RPM/RPA) | Philippines | Banning anti-personnel mines | 11 September 2003 |
| Revolutionary Workers Party of the Philippines/ Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Bocayo (RPM/RPA-AB) | Philippines | Banning anti-personnel mines | 10 September 2002 |
| Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (PDKI) | Iran | Banning anti-personnel mines Protecting children in armed conflict Prohibiting sexual violence and gender discrimination |
7 September 2007 14 December 2012 14 December 2012 |
| Free Life Party of Kurdistan/ Liberation Forces of Eastern Kurdistan (PJAK) | Iran | Banning anti-personnel mines | 15 April 2010 |
| Komala Party of Iranian Kurdistan (KPIK) | Iran | Banning anti-personnel mines Protecting children in armed conflict Prohibiting sexual violence and gender discrimination |
16 June 2009 14 December 2012 14 December 2012 |
| Komala Party of Kurdistan (KPK) | Iran | Banning anti-personnel mines Protecting children in armed conflict Prohibiting sexual violence and gender discrimination |
7 April 2009 14 December 2012 14 December 2012 |
| Komalah-Communist Party of Iran (Komalah-CPI) | Iran | Banning anti-personnel mines Protecting children in armed conflict Prohibiting sexual violence and gender discrimination |
7 April 2009 14 December 2012 14 December 2012 |
| The Kurdistan Democratic Party – Iran (KDP-Iran) | Iran | Banning anti-personnel mines Protecting children in armed conflict Prohibiting sexual violence and gender discrimination |
13 April 2007 14 December 2012 14 December 2012 |
| Kurdistan Regional Government-Erbil (KRG-Erbil) | Iraq | Banning anti-personnel mines | 11 August 2002 |
| Kurdistan Regional Government-Sulaimanyia (KRG-Sulaimanyia) | Iraq | Banning anti-personnel mines | 10 August 2002 |
| People's Defences Forces / Kurdistan Worker's Party (HPG / PKK) | Turkey | Banning anti-personnel mines Protecting children in armed conflict |
24 June 2006 5 October 2013 |
Praise
Ban Ki-Moon, United Nations Secretary General has mentioned Geneva Call and its work on multiple occasions,[11][12] including a speech where he identified the Geneva Call Deed of Commitment as a "successful example" of special commitments with non-state actors. The International Forum on Armed Groups and the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict, held by the Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers in July 2006, recognized the Deed of Commitment as "one of the most innovative forms of persuading armed groups to make unilateral declarations to abide by IHL norms".[13] In 2013, Geneva Call was recognized in the world’s Top 100 NGOs by the Global Journal.[14]
Criticism and Controversy
At the Seventh Meeting of States Parties to the Ottawa Treaty, Turkey accused Geneva Call of signing a Deed of Commitment with the Kurdistan Worker's Party without knowledge or consent from the Turkish government, describing the act as "inappropriate and unacceptable." Geneva Call claims that it informed Turkey of the engagement. Turkey refuses to allow Geneva Call into its borders to conduct verification missions with the Kurdistan Worker's Party.[15]
The 2010 United States Supreme Court case Holder v. Humanitarian Law Project ruled that organizations providing international law training to organizations recognized as terrorist groups by the Department of State are committing a crime. Because of Geneva Call's work with the Kurdistan Worker's Party, some of the organization's activities could be considered illegal under American law. Geneva Call President Elisabeth Decrey-Warner responded that "civilians caught in the middle of conflicts and hoping for peace will suffer from this decision. How can you start peace talks or negotiations if you don’t have the right to speak to both parties?"
References
- ↑ Non-profit making Foundation, Geneva Call, 2014
- ↑ Annual Report 2012, Geneva Call, 2014
- 1 2 3 Geneva Call's Statutes, Geneva Call, 2014
- 1 2 Structure of Geneva Call Geneva Call, 2014
- ↑ La Légion d’honneur l’habille La Tribune de Genève, 19 September 2013, Retrieved 3 February 2014
- ↑ Tour d'Armin - Armin Köhli Retrieved 3 February 2014
- 1 2 Geneva Call’s Deed of Commitment banning anti-personnel mines, Geneva Call, 2014
- 1 2 Geneva Call’s Deed of Commitment protection children in armed conflict , Geneva Call, 2014
- 1 2 Geneva Call’s Deed of Commitment prohibiting sexual violence and gender discrimination, Geneva Call, 2014
- ↑ List of armed non-State actors that have been engaged by Geneva Call, Geneva Call, 2014
- ↑ Ban Ki-Moon, Report of the Secretary-General on the situation concerning Western Sahara, United Nations Security Council, 2007, Retrieved 3 February 2014
- ↑ Ban Ki-Moon, Ban Ki-Moon, Report of the Secretary General on the protection of civilians in armed conflict, United Nations Security Council, 2009, Retrieved 3 February 2014
- ↑ International forum on armed groups and the involvement of children in armed conflict: Summary of themes and discussions, Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers, 2007, Retrieved 3 February 2014
- ↑ Communiqué 2013 : Geneva Call recognised in the world’s Top 100 Best NGOs, Geneva Call, 2014, Retrieved 3 February 2014
- ↑ Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor Retrieved 3 February 2014