AP4D Symposium | Australia’s policy options in promoting protection of civilians and international humanitarian law
Protection of civilians is an essential element of international humanitarian law that creates the conditions that promote peace, economic prosperity and human flourishing to the benefit of all countries. Yet there is concerning lack of compliance and accountability with respect to both. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has described the current dire situation as an “age of impunity”. While this breakdown is clearly a moral issue, it also undermines trust in state institutions, the multilateral system and the international legal order more broadly – vital interests of a middle power like Australia.
On Friday 28 February AP4D hosted a webinar to launch the options paper, What does it look like for Australia to promote compliance with international humanitarian law and protection of civilians, the culmination of three months of consultations with more than 70 humanitarian experts and practitioners.
The paper surveys Australia’s historical involvement in international humanitarian law and Protection of Civilians – as both an early adopter and active developer – and outlines why and how upholding and strengthening these frameworks is in Australia’s national interest. It diagnoses the issues at the heart of contemporary challenges, and outlines areas that Australian policymakers can focus on to promote compliance with international humanitarian law and protection of civilians.
Featuring speakers:
- Lorraine Finlay, Australia’s Human Rights Commissioner
- David Tuck, Head of Mission, Australia at International Committee of the Red Cross
- Dr Sarah McCosker, Founding Partner at Lexbridge Lawyers
- Keya Saha-Chaudhury, Asia-Pacific Regional Representative at the International Council of Voluntary Agencies
- Nicola Rosenblum, Executive Director of the Australian Civil-Military Centre