There is currently More conflicts in progress in the world at any time since the Second World War. In these conflicts, there is also a rupture of the rule of engagement – with an erosion of international humanitarian law and a growing contempt for the protection of civilians. The mechanisms aimed at translating the authors into justice are also degraded. The Secretary General of the United Nations, António Guterres, described this an “age of impunity”. This is still aggravated by an emerging era of revisionism of great power – where powerful states bristle the rules and standards and seek a return to a world of “power is right”.
Rather than avoiding advocacy, these new conditions require states like Australia to strengthen its commitment to international humanitarian principles and use its voice to be a constant defender of international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians. In doing so, Australia can project itself as a moral power.
Australia should not underestimate the influence it can exert, especially during this emerging geopolitical erawhere the average energy coalitions will be increasingly important to maintain laws, rules and international standards.
Maintaining attention focused on the world is an essential element of civil protection, which means the voice of Australia, and its collective voice and its partners on international humanitarian law issues, should be amplified whatever the other obstacles that can be currently.
If Australia should succeed in its offer For a non-permanent headquarters to the United Nations Security Council (USC) in 2029-2030, he can become a champion of more efficient humanitarian compliance mechanisms and humanitarian responsibility, based on the achievements of his Term 2013-2014.
These achievements include creation and the main negotiations on CSNU resolution 2117 To restrict the illicit flows of light weapons – the first resolution of this type – and play a key role in negotiating a series of agreements on the need for improved humanitarian access and better protection of civilians – in particular CSNU resolution 2165 which allowed the UN agencies to provide humanitarian assistance through the borders without the consent of the Syrian authorities.
This spirit must be maintained and improved while Australia continues its offer for a headquarters of the United Nations Security Council. But that shouldn’t be the end of the story.
Thanks to its defense cooperation, Australia has a potential influence to promote the protection of civilians on a global scale. Playing its capacity building forces, Australia is well placed to allow other governments and soldiers to contribute to the own ability of countries to maintain and support international humanitarian law and civil protection, including through Implement programs On women, peace and security (WPS).
Thanks to WPS programs, international humanitarian law and civil protection can be improved by promoting recognition of the complex character of civilian populations and sexospecific impacts of the conflict and Its implications For military and government decision -makers, as well as humanitarian aid. On the ground, female engagement teams are more able to reach women in an environment deployed, and therefore the information comes that the staff of the male defense forces could not.
Australia is also influential through Military training and exercises with the Pacific countries, as well as emerging security relations with its Southeast Asia And South Asie neighbors. Here, Australia can be creative with its defense diplomacy, with a military commitment to military capable of building constructive and confidence relations, as well as pragmatic practice sharing international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians.
In addition to its international advocacy, recent operational experiences of Australia in Iraq and Afghanistan consisted in navigating international humanitarian law, the protection of civilians and the rules of engagement in practice – being particularly aware of, and responsible forHis own behavior. The regular calendar of Australia of bilateral and multilateral joint exercises is also opportunities for the exchange of operational knowledge with other soldiers who have had recent combat experience. The promotion of military compliance with international humanitarian law and the responsibility of violations is a way in which Australia can exert an influence.
Australia can use its voluntary report On the implementation of international humanitarian law to engage with other states preparing their own compliance reports. This can lead to improved mechanisms to follow civil damage; Gather and analyze the relevant data; report incidents and trends to the persons concerned; Coordinate with stakeholders who can help protect civilians; And take measures to prevent recidivism from civilians, in particular by adapting or repeating the training.
Australia also has a lever effect and the ability to influence private companies operating in this space. What a company does or does not do may have important consequences For affected civilian populations, as well as its own employees and assets. Beyond the prejudice to the victims, being an accomplice of violations of international humanitarian law can have a negative impact on the reputation, operations and financial situation of a company, and expose it as well as its staff at risk of legal responsibility.
Australia has build a reputation Over time as an effective multilateral negotiator, coalition manufacturer and trusted partner – although it is relatively small diplomatic imprint limits the priorities that Australia can continue simultaneously. These skills become more and more important as conflicts persist and that the laws, rules and standards that should before the front of civil protection in conflict areas are disputed or ignored. Australia’s responsibility lies in being an eminent champion of international humanitarian law In concert with other partners sharing the same ideas.
This article is based on the elements of the last Asia-Pacific development report, diplomacy and defense dialogue: To which it looks like Australia to promote respect for international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians.