HUMANTARIAN ACTION

NEWSLETTER AND NEW TECHONOLOGIES OF WARFARE JUNE 2019 A. Bhatia/ICRC A.

FOREWORD

The first half of 2019 has proven to challenges that technology can pose to the existing be both challenging and exciting legal framework of IHL. This collaboration is aimed for the Regional Delegation in New at bringing together government policy advisers Delhi. The year began with a visit and academic experts to research, discuss and by the ICRC vice-president, Gilles debate this complex and multidimensional topic. Carbonnier, who participated in the This partnership is also significant because 4th Raisina Dialogue, along with Knut Doermann, 2019 marks the 70th anniversary of the Geneva head of the ICRC’s legal division. The ICRC vice- Conventions of 1949. This provides the ICRC the president, along with the Defence Secretary opportunity to demonstrate and reinforce the Shri Sanjay Mitra, presided over the launch of relevance of the GCs more now than ever against the ICRC – IIT Delhi ‘Humanitarian Policy and these cotemporary developments of warfare. The Technology Platform’. This Platform – TECHPOL universally ratified GCs reflect not just law but – will address two key areas: new technologies universal values of ethical behaviour. States and for humanitarian action and the regulation of new non-state actors are bound to universally and technologies of warfare. unequivocally implement, respect and ensure While new scientific and technological develop- respect for IHL. Through this partnership, we hope ments hold great promise for humanity, experts to work with some of the best minds in the field on international humanitarian law (IHL) predict and connect with innovators who represent the that their use as a means of warfare may entail future in the world of technological innovation. significant risks for civilian protection and We look forward to more engagements and may raise challenges for the interpretation and partnerships as we deal with the challenges of a application of existing rules of IHL. As States put constantly evolving humanitarian landscape. artificial intelligence to diverse uses, including in their armed forces, spanning weapons,

detention and in humanitarian services, it Yves Heller becomes important to convene multidisciplinary Head of the Regional Delegation, a.i. discussions that look at both opportunities and ICRC New Delhi o oeae ct mlurto i cide i conflict in stricken countries. children in malnutrition acute moderate severe This to treating manufacturers. is food Indian supplementary from and therapeutic Crore 10 INR more than worth food specialised bought ICRC the 2017-18, In services. and goods sources it which from hubs global in children globally, with and emerging as one of men the most important women, items procures ICRC of the worldwide, countries strife-torn needs the meet To for IHL those manningtheseasindifferentpartsofworld. of importance the acknowledged participants the security, maritime of dynamics evolving ever the to Referring officer. female a of participation the ensure to opportunity this Maldives, took Cameroon Lanka. the Sri and Nigeria Ghana, Cameroon, Benin, , on laws of war at sea. The participating countries included international humanitarian law (IHL), with a special focus seven countries came together in Kochi, Kerala to discuss from officers Naval and Guard Coast 20 March, 14-15 On re TOP STORIES g ion a l dele ga tion , NEW DELHI, NEW

Prisons Department ICRC ICRC legal framework,theGenevaConventions(GCs). humanitarian world in the interpretation of an established the which and fraternity legal conference the by faced second challenges discussed the already was this 2019, in Conventions Geneva the of anniversary 70th the On (IHL). the discuss relevance and the future to of international humanitarian law platform perfect the provided Delhi New in (IJLIA) Affairs International and Law of Journal Indian with collaboration in (ISIL) Law International of Society Indian the by organised symposium international recent A ICT the six-daycourse. the attended Iran and Lanka Sri and India, Pakistan , Maldives, Bhutan, Asian Bangladesh, South , eight — from nations organisations society civil and rights human and academia of members personnel, police and military officials, government including participants was 40 (IHL) Over Session 2019. March 2 – Law February 25 Teaching Kathmandu in held Humanitarian International South on the (SATS) of edition 33rd The

Q. Almoayed/ICRC ICRC v icrc vice-president visits india

Gilles Carbonnier, the ICRC vice-president, Knut Doermann, the head of the legal division at the ICRC, and Charles Sabga, the ICRC diplomatic adviser for Asia and the Pacific, visited New Delhi 7-11 January 2019. Carbonnier spoke at a panel on ‘Accountable Autonomy: When Machines Kill’ at the fourth edition of the Raisina Dialogue — India’s flagship annual geo-strategic conference organised by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) with the Observer Research Foundation. Doermann spoke on the panel entitled ‘Clicks and Kalashnikovs’, which debated ways to Bhatia/ICRC A. counter online and offline violent extremism. The conference was an opportunity for the ICRC to profile key humanitarian issues to more than India has the capacity to mobilise 1,500 participants from 93 countries, including international and global actors political leaders, strategic thinkers and policy to debate very pertinent development issues practitioners. The head of the legal division of and also humanitarian issues. the ICRC met with the additional secretary of I am very glad that the ICRC can also share the MEA. They discussed a range of issues such our concerns and learn. as the ratification of the Additional Protocols

by India and shared notes on the delegation’s Gilles Carbonnier, Vice-President of the ICRC ongoing academic and legal activities. At a dinner reception organised by the Swiss Embassy, the vice-president interacted with former joint initiative of the ICRC and Indian Institute of

ICRC ambassadors, government officials and civil Technology Delhi. The secretary of the Ministry society representatives. of Defence welcomed the creation of the platform The visit concluded with the launch of the to further the debate on technology, warfare and Humanitarian Policy and Technology Platform, a compliance with IHL norms.

v SHE’S GOT TRAINING ON HER MIND

Preeti Srivastav, India

“My legs don’t work – but my brain does!” exclaims Preeti Srivastav, who lives in Ghosi, Uttar Pradesh, whenever anybody pities her for her inability to walk, or if someone frowns upon her love for makeup. She makes it clear to them that she uses only a little more space to navigate in her wheelchair than them. Belonging to a family of six siblings, Preeti is sharp, alert and holds the highest regard for education.

The ICRC’s wheelchair user peer training, conducted in New Delhi in collaboration with Motivation India, brought about a huge change in Preeti’s attitude. “Everybody was so positive and happy there. They’re some of my closest friends now,” she says. During the sessions, she was taught to manoeuvre her wheelchair, look after her diet and even manage menstruation. But Preeti is the most happy about the change that came about in her father’s attitude thereafter. Q. Almoayed/ICRC Q. ICRC e in applicationofthese norms. forces armed the guiding language advisers legal have and national their into texts relevant the translate them, apply to personnel security military and train law, humanitarian international for of rules the disseminate obligations, treaty their must, States at example, compliance. adopt national legislation implementing -aimed full situations ensuring conflict armed in and peacetime in both - measures practical and legal take to duty a have States IHL. for respect ensure and respect to States of duty the primarily is It Who ensuresrespectforIHL? universal in the worldispartytothem. enjoy (State) country every Conventions meaning ratification, Geneva The Who allarepartytotheGenevaConventions? prisoners ofwar). troops, and shipwrecked sick (wounded, fight of out are who those protect also They objects). (civilians, prisoners conflict of war, medics, by aid workers and affected civilian be, may or are, Additional Protocols aim to protect persons and objects their that and Conventions Geneva The What aretheGenevaConventions? Additional their and Geneva Protocols of1977. 1949 four of the IHL of Conventions modern composed of however, bulk is, The (GC). the Geneva Convention 1864 the over with starting developed years, 150 been past have that treaties international of number large a of consists IHL What instrumentsmakeupIHL? an armedconflict. during done be cannot and that can what rules determine international of set a are (IHL) law humanitarian international or war, of rules The What isinternationalhumanitarianLaw? ©ICRC, June2019 Email: [email protected]|www.icrc.org/in T: +911142211000|F: 42211068 New Delhi-110016 C-6/6, SafdarjungDevelopment Area Regional DelegationforIndia, Nepal,BhutanandtheMaldives International Committeeofthe RedCross inter v en w v iew IHL and the Geneva Conventions. Geneva the and IHL to related questions tackles he section this In region. the in countries other and India in forces security (IHL) and law for armed humanitarian international on training oversees Sajiv Jetley, a rs h Head of Department (Armed and Security Forces) New Delhi Delhi Forces) New Security and (Armed Department of Head av e rules power, not just the individuals who captured captured who PoW. the individuals the detaining just the not with power, lies this The for “humanely”. responsibility treated: states be unambiguously must PoWs that III GC hostilities. of end the the following prisoners of the and repatriation officers captured of PoWs treatment make the can do, captors that work of kind the resources, financial recreation, needs, religious internment, of place the (PoW)including enemy to relation in who have into combatants the of hands fallen the arise may that situation of kind dealt is (PoW) every with deal III. GC by Its the 143 articles with war of prisoners of Treatment What aretheprovisionsforPoWs? these crimes canbeinvestigatedandprosecuted. for responsible Individuals crimes. war and breaches grave are IHL of violations Serious full reparation for the loss or injury it has caused. A State responsible for IHL violations must make What happenswhenyoubreaktheserules? work forthefaithfulapplicationofIHL. andto tasks assistance and protection specific with community international the by mandated been has which ICRC, the particular in - tation implemen IHL in role a play also actors Other

@ blogs.icrc.org/new-delhi ICRC_nd -

1049/002 06.2019 200