October 30, 2019As Legislatures vow speedy domestication process
Military personnel paraded the streets of Monrovia to begin the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions in Liberia. The Geneva Conventions (GC70) was meant to call States and other actors to action: urging recommitment to International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and enhance practical efforts towards its respect.
Liberia 20 years ago, erected a monument of the Geneva Convention on Board Street central Monrovia, depicting soldiers and armed carriers/bearer stretching their hands to receive the Geneva Conventions, signifies respect, implementation and promotion of the Geneva Conventions and additional protocols which calls for humane treatment for victims and those caring for them. This was one of the outcomes after Liberia ratified the GC in 1954.
A significant part of the commemoration of the Geneva Conventions’ 70th anniversary in Liberia was the re-inauguration of the monument, to renew Liberia’s commitment to respecting and promoting the four Geneva Conventions and additional protocols.
Speaking at the re-inauguration of the newly refurbished monument of the GCs, Deputy Defense Minister, Honorable Tibli Olandrus Dickson emphasized that the Armed Forces of Liberia remains committed to the Law of Armed Conflict.
“We are happy to be here again to recommit as a nation to those international principles that solidified our international standard. As a nation and people, we have come a long way from the days of our civil crisis to the rebirth of our Armed Forces. Liberia today is at a cross road and will like to once again recommit ourselves to those principles enshrined in the Geneva Conventions and their additional protocols regarding International Humanitarian Law”, Minister Dickson pointed out.
The Deputy Defense Minister for administration further added that the Ministry of National Defense was proud to be a testament to the commitment of the Liberian people through the Government to ensure that the new army is professional and committed to upholding the principle of International Humanitarian Law.
The Armed Forces of Liberia is contributing troops to the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Mali. The Minister mentioned that the feedback received from the United Nations is that Liberian troops continue to live by those principles.
The Commemoration continued at the Barclay Training Center where a round table symposium was held with IHL trainers in the Army presenting on each of the Conventions. The AFL also shared experiences on the success and challenges to respecting IHL and promoting respect for the Geneva conventions while on their Peacekeeping Mission in Mali.
Liberia is pushing strongly for the domestication of the conventions. The Liberia IHL Committee has already finalized a bill on the domestication of the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols pending submission to the plenary of the National Legislature shortly.
The ICRC – as the promoter and guardian of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) for over 150 years worldwide – has also been in Liberia for more than 30 years supporting the army especially in the area of International Humanitarian Law.
The ICRC Deputy Regional Head of Delegation Valerie Aubert spoke about the impact that these four key treaties of international humanitarian law (IHL) have had – and continue to have – on the way contemporary armed conflicts are fought. She said with IHL, States have drawn a line, making unambiguously clear what is not acceptable, not even in armed conflict, not even against your worst enemy.
She added that the Geneva Conventions, together with wider IHL, have saved countless lives and reduced suffering across hundreds of armed conflicts in the last 70 years. “There is no doubt that today’s wars would be worse without them. It is important not to lose sight of this” the ICRC Deputy Regional Head of Delegation pointed out.
Commenting on the domestication process of the Geneva Conventions in Liberia, she insisted on the importance of this legislative process and encouraged the swift adoption of the bill.
“We can do better, and we must do better. We owe it to the victims of the conflicts to whose suffering the Conventions and later treaties are a living monument. We owe it to the victims of today’s armed conflicts, worldwide. And – as long as humankind resorts to armed conflicts – we owe it to the victims of future conflicts. We owe it to our own common humanity”, the ICRC Deputy Regional Head maintained.
Two of Liberia most influential Senators attended the 70th anniversary celebration. Hon. Conmany B. Wesseh of River Gee County and Hon. Stephen J.H. Zargo of Lofa County both senators are co-chairs on the Senate Committee on National Defense, Intelligence, Security and Veteran Affairs. They have pledged their unflinching support to the domestication of the Geneva Conventions.
Liberia ratified the Geneva Conventions in 1954 and has delayed in domesticating the Conventions into the local law. Speaking on behalf of the Legislature, River Gee Senator Wesseh said: “We are surprised that it is taking so long that the Geneva Conventions have not been domesticated”.
Hon. Wesseh however assured the gathering that the Legislature is taking the matter very seriously and added that they are going to put some times in the domestication effort of the Geneva Conventions. “This is the time. It is going to happen. If not before our Agriculture break, please make it first in January when we return from our break”, Hon. Wesseh told the Liberia IHL Committee.
“I can assure you that it will be done and done speedily” the Senator concluded.
The event was organized by the Liberia National Red Cross Society, the Liberia IHL Committee and the AFL with support from the ICRC Country office to ensure Liberia participation in the 70th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions.
