Annual Report 2017 Geneva Call Is a Neutral, Impartial and Independant

Annual Report

Annual report 2017

Geneva Call is a neutral, impartial and independant humanitarian organization working to improve the protection of civilians in armed conflict. We strengthen the respect for the law of armed conflict by armed groups and support local communities in their efforts to improve their own protection. During conflict, fighters must comply with the “rules of war”as enshrined in international humanitarian law (and the Geneva Conventions in particular). These rules set out the limits that the parties to conflict must abide by to limit the impact of war on civilian populations.

Geneva Call engages armed groups to encour- age them to comply with the rules of war. Cover : © REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra Content Donor List List ofarmedactors Financial report Media campaigns New thematicareasofwork andEuropeAsia Africa 9 Colombia Middle East Geneva Call Highlightsin2017 Foreword 1 Content 27 22 20 18 16 12 8 4 2 conflicts have oncivilian populations. limiting thehuge impactthatthese and armednon-State actors iskey to dialogue withlocalcommunities where in-depthhumanitarian (Libya, Mali, Yemen andUkraine) programmes infournewcontexts Geneva Call wasalsoableto launch hostilities. rian normsintheconduct of training themto abide by humanita- internal rulesto theirsoldiersand anti-personnel mines,disseminating action, destroying stockpiles of up newareasto humanitarian mine children fromtheirranks,opening concrete measuressuchasreleasing with Geneva Callbutalsotaking cies orsigningDeedsofCommitment not onlyincludedchangingtheirpoli- humanitarian norms.Theseactions actions to improve theirrespectfor operations ledto taking 16ANSAs In thiscontext, Geneva Call’s armed non-State actors (ANSAs). nal innature,involving oneorseveral in theworld wereallnon-internatio - The ten mostsignificant conflicts conflicts takingplacein21States. 38 non-international armed 2017 wasmarked by atleast Geneva Call Foreword Annual Report conflict. the protection ofciviliansinarmed objectiveto Geneva Call’sprimary like to acknowledge theirdedication field andatheadquarters. We would and itscommitted colleagues inthe its donors,theBoardofTrustees tal mission,withthesupportofall outthisfundamen- is proudto carry This work willcontinue lives. rian law, but alsoto saving countless enhancing international humanita- intuition hasnotonlycontributed to courage andvision;herincredible field. We thankherwarmlyfor respected actor inthehumanitarian Elisabeth builtGeneva Callinto a the endofDecember2017. and directed theorganizationuntil Geneva Call’s co-founders in1998 the organization.Shewasoneof years ofpassionate commitment to Decrey Warner retiredafter twenty At theendoflastyear, Elisabeth Director General Alain Délétroz ! Geneva Call : 2017

Foreword 1 2 Geneva Call Annual Report 2017 Geneva Call Annual Report 2017 3

Geneva Iraq Myanmar Experts’ meeting on the Conference on Islam Representatives of topic of the administra- and the protection the Kachin civil society tion of justice by armed of civilians in Najaf and trained on humanitarian Highlights non-State actors humanitarian engage- norms ment with the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) New York 2017 Briefing to the United Nations Security Council Working Group

on Children and Armed Conflict 7 on the prevention of child Geneva recruitment by armed non- New York State actors 6 Erbil 3 1 Beirut 2 Baghdad In 2017, Geneva Call maintained a humanitarian 5 dialogue on the protection of civilians with 69 armed 10 non-State actors in 18 contexts 1 2 17 15

11 13 4 16 Aden 18 Highlights 2017 Highlights 2017

14 Bogotá 8 Western Sahara Destruction of Thailand 2 446 stockpiled anti- 9 Goma First workshop for civil personnel mines society organization

Lebanon Training sessions on the law of armed conflict and Islamic Law with 1. Syria Sunni leaders 2. Iraq 10. Libya 3. Lebanon 11. Mali 4. Yemen 12. Western Sahara 5. Iran 13. Sudan Syria Geneva Call Offices 6. Turkey 14. South Sudan Democratic Signature of 7. Ukraine 15. Myanmar Republic of the Congo Deeds of Commitment Countries in which 8. Colombia 16. Thailand More than 100 children by 8 brigades of the Free Geneva Call opened 9. Democratic Republic 17. India left armed groups Syrian Army a programme in 2017 of the Congo 18. Philippines 4 Geneva Call Annual Report 2017 Geneva Call Annual Report 2017 5

In September, Geneva Call Conference on Islam and “In Islam, civilians are organized a two-day training the protection of civilians protected. Islam is not only on the LOAC, focusing on the in Najaf and humanitarian a religion of peace and com- protection of civilians, for the engagement with the passion but also of human Middle East newly created Raqqa Internal Popular Mobilization Forces ethics,” one of the religious Security Forces. Fourteen (PMF) leaders at the conference commanders from five declared. For seven years, the Near and Middle East region and in particular Syria, sectors attended the training In February, in partnership has been witnessing several layers of armed conflicts, causing hundreds of and more sessions were with the Islamic University of The participants adopted thousands of deaths and injuries, mainly among civilian populations. requested for their sectors’ Najaf, Geneva Call organized a set of recommendations to All the major world and regional powers are involved, directly or indirectly, forces. a conference entitled Islam reaffirm their commitments and the Protection of to the main principles of in these ongoing armed conflicts. Civilians. The event gathered the LOAC, but they also Several million people have been displaced and their homes destroyed ; more than 40 participants, recommended that the PMF they are in need of humanitarian aid and protection. Armed non-State actors Iraq including 16 representatives facilitate cooperation with (ANSAs) play a very important role in these conflicts and commit grave from different brigades Geneva Call. violations of the law of armed conflict (LOAC). Turkey of the PMF, religious and Furthermore, they named community leaders, and a focal point to coordinate Erbil Iran An impartial humanitarian dialogue on respecting the LOAC, with the Syria representatives of interna- action with humanitarian region’s ANSAs and, indeed, with all influential national and local actors, tional organizations such organizations. Geneva Call Baghdad has become more and more crucial to saving lives. as UNICEF, the Norwegian and the University decided to Jord. Refugee Council and the continue collaborating to pro- Kuwait European Union’s Directorate duce guidelines and a code General for Humanitarian Aid of conduct for PMF fighters. Syria Saudi Arabia Commitment, thereby pled- of the Deeds of Commitment and Civil Protection. Over two These documents will explain Middle East Middle East ging to respect international and to monitor the situation days, Geneva Call and its local the main humanitarian rules standards to protect civilians on the ground first hand, experts gave presentations on the protection of civilians Turkey in armed conflict. The new including in the centres No. of training for armed actors 92 on different aspects of and show how they relate to signatories were : the 23rd for demobilized children in No. of training for civilians 16 civilian protection including traditional and religious rules. Division, the 21st Force Hassake and Derik and the No. of armed actors participants 1793 the conduct of hostilities and Following this conference, Union, the Central Division, one in charge of recruitment No. of civilian participants 1726 the protection of children. trusting relationships were the First Coastal Division, the in Qamishli. Lebanon Damascus Iraq 51st Brigade, the Al-Mu’tasim Brigade, the Hamza Division First training sessions for Jord. and the Al- Watan Liberation the Syrian Democratic Movement. Forces (SDF) and the Raqqa Internal Security Forces No. of training for armed actors 9 Engagement with the No. of training for civilians 7 Kurdish People’s Protection A two-day training on the No. of armed actors participants 309 Unit (YPG/YPJ) was the LOAC, focusing on the No. of civilian participants 275 strengthened conduct of hostilities and civilian protection, was held 8 FSA Brigades signed Despite limited access to for the SDF in September Deeds of Commitment north-east Syria, engagement in the Raqqa governorate. with the YPG/YPJ continued Around 100 high- and Eight brigades or units to be strengthened. Geneva middle-ranking participants of the Free Syrian Army Call was also able to follow attended, thereby increasing signed one or more Deeds of up on the implementation their knowledge of the LOAC. © Geneva Call – Meeting with the leadership of Syrian Democratic Forces 6 Geneva Call Annual Report 2017 Geneva Call Annual Report 2017 7

Call was introduced to Dar aims to combine its members’ of gender discrimination, al-Ifta’ in the Bekaa and a first efforts to strengthen child protection and the ban encounter took place with humanitarian norms for on anti-personnel mines. the Mufti of Baalbeck and more efficient protection Some of them had to travel Hermel. Following this mee- of civilians in situations of for days and across several ting, Geneva Call was able to armed violence. checkpoints. They came from organize two trainings with different areas – whether religious leaders, including Improving security in the controlled by Ansar Allah/ female religious education Palestinian Refugee camps Al-Houthi, the government teachers. By highlighting the or southern groups – and connections between the Geneva Call’s partner, the represented varied political LOAC and Islamic law, the Legal Support Unit (LSU), sensitivities. Geneva Call trainer was able worked on a code of conduct to convince the participants and a code of ethics for the Despite this, Geneva Call was of the LOAC’s legitimacy, Palestinian Security Forces able to avoid political debates leading them to request ad- in the Palestinian refugee by highlighting the humani- ditional and more advanced camps, to be reviewed tarian considerations that training on the subject. by Geneva Call. The LSU had brought them together. Consequently, the Mufti of continued to provide training The participants themsel- © Geneva Call – Coaching Peshmerga trainers du - Peshmerga © Geneva Call – Coaching ring training sessions on the LOAC Baalbeck and Hermel praised on the basic principles on the ves were impressed on how built with all the key PMF this Brigade on the respect of that reflected humanitarian Geneva Call’s activities and use of force and firearms in Geneva Call could gather militias, their representatives humanitarian norms and the norms. suggested replicating them in security operations. The LSU such a varied audience. attended several training protection of civilians during different parts of Bekaa, and also initiated discussions with sessions on the LOAC and hostilities. Through different with other religious leaders in commanders and leaders The participants took up the discussions took place on sessions, trainers presented Lebanon the future. to find out their opinions issue of the protection of Middle East Middle East adapting their internal all the main topics of the Multiple Syrian CSOs and action gender, the inclusion of civilians with enthusiasm and regulations. The Nineveh LOAC. They also initiated vists, along with two sheikhs women in the security forces committed to disseminating Guards, one of the key ANSAs challenging discussions, who had also attended a and enhancing women’s roles. humanitarian norms among in the Nineveh governorate, notably about the kidnapping Syria training of trainers on the their constituencies. Six or- Beirut Yemen had discussions with Geneva of women and girls, sexual Iraq LOAC, carried out training ganizations received further Call about signing an agree- slavery and the killing of men sessions with the support of training in Beirut and became Jordan ment on training their high and boys by the Islamic State Geneva Call trainers. Saudi Arabia Geneva Call’s implementation Israel Saudi command and senior officers group. Arabia Oman partners for the conduct of on the LOAC. Launch of the first Friends awareness-raising activities Sanaa More than 900 Peshmerga of the IHL network according to action plans First training session with combatants trained on the No. of training for armed actors 10 adapted to their areas.

the Sun Girls Brigade, a unit LOAC No. of training for civilians 26 In November, Geneva Call Eritrea Aden of female Yezidi fighters No. of armed actors participants 107 launched the Friends of the Djibouti The 16 Peshmerga instructors No. of civilian participants 96 International Humanitarian Somalia In response to the violent who had been trained and Law (IHL) network, the first of No. of training for civilians 2 abuses suffered by the Yezidi coached by Geneva Call in Sunni leaders participate its kind in the region, bringing community, a famous Yezidi 2016 ran 46 dissemination in training sessions on the together Lebanese, Syrian 17 women, representing 16 singer created an all-female sessions on the LOAC for LOAC and Islamic Law and Palestinian stakeholders Yemeni women’s organiza- armed unit – the Sun Girls 925 men from different from various backgrounds – tions, attended a workshop Brigade – as part of the Yezidi Peshmerga brigades. After a Following the partnership from academics to refugees in Amman, Jordan, on the Peshmerga Forces. In July, series of discussions, the KRG and cooperation with Dar – along with representatives LOAC. The focus was on Geneva Call provided training Ministry of Peshmerga pre- al-Ifta’ – the Sunni religious from local and international the prohibition of sexual for 20 female fighters from pared a draft code of conduct authority – in Tripoli, Geneva organizations. This network violence, the prevention 8 Geneva Call Annual Report 2017 Geneva Call Annual Report 2017 9 Latin America Africa The implementation of the peace agreement between the Revolutionary In 2017, Geneva Call defined three priority countries : the Democratic Armed Forces of Colombia – People’s Army (FARC-EP) and the Colombian Republic of the Congo (DRC), Libya and Mali and consequently initiated government faced major challenges because of continued violence. activities in Mali and Libya. In the DRC, where it has been working since 2015, it reinforced its activities as armed clashes increased in the eastern part Despite this, the FARC-EP’s status changed, on 1 September 2017, from of the DRC. armed actor to political party, and it started to prepare for its participation in the April 2018 election. Geneva Call continued its work with Colombia’s second largest armed non-State actor, the National Liberation Army (ELN).

Colombia process and attended several Colombian communities parti- Democratic their groups and demobilize. The high number of spon- releases of children from cipated in a regional forum on Republic of the Congo To support this process, taneous demobilizations of different concentration areas. peace processes, Geneva Call liaised with child soldiers in Masisi, North Panama the protection of humani- different national and Kivu, stirred up a lot of Central Venezuela Sudan Humanitarian dialogue with tarian space and related Cameroon African Rep. international organizations, confusion to do with their the National Liberation challenges in the south-west ensuring that the children reintegration into the com- Bogotá Army and Pacific departments. Congo Uga. would receive a “demobili- munity. Geneva Call therefore Gabon Goma • zation certificate” from the organized a workshop with Africa Ecuador Following frequent meetings Despite the challenges • Kinshasa Armed Forces of the DRC. nearly 50 local community Latin America Brazil and training events, including linked to political unrest in To avoid exposure to the leaders to raise awareness Peru in prisons, the ELN expressed the target region and the risk of renewed recruitment, of the social and security its interest in signing the unavailability of ELN and Angola some of the children were consequences of child recruit- Deeds of Commitment protec- government representatives, Zambia taken in by local families. ment, to identify measures No. of training for armed actors 3 ting children in armed conflict, the forum was held success- No. of training for armed actors 6 Some of these children to prevent this and to explain No. of training for civilians 5 prohibiting sexual violence fully and participants adopted No. of training for civilians 5 are now benefitting from the role of Geneva Call’s local No. of armed actors participants 143 and against gender discrimi- a final declaration with several No. of armed actors participants 131 a new vocational training partner in assisting the No. of civilian participants 118 nation; it also confirmed that concrete recommendations No. of civilian participants 99 project operated by Geneva demobilization process. protocols were being drafted and suggestions for the ELN Call’s local partner GYSPAD At the same time, local Demobilization of child for the implementation and the government. More than 100 children (Global Synergy for Peace communities were invited soldiers from the FARC-EP of humanitarian demining Among others, communities left armed groups and Development), which to contribute towards taking in Nariño. In its cease-fire requested mine risk education allows them to learn about care of these children. From September 2016 to agreement, the ELN included and humanitarian demining Following in-depth training agriculture, pig farming and The participants developed August 2017, 122 children provisions on anti-personnel in areas where the ELN was sessions and humanitarian sewing. It is hoped that this recommendations on the left the FARC-EP through mines and children. present, and they insisted on dialogue with the Nduma support will eventually help special care required for fe- a process agreed with the their involvement in consulta- Defence of Congo, the them to reintegrate into male ex-child soldiers, against government. Geneva Call had Local communities make tions related to such activities. Alliance des Patriotes pour un civilian life with some form the stigmatization of child been invited by the FARC-EP recommendations sugges- Congo Libre et Souverain and of concrete job prospects. soldiers in general and on the to monitor this process, to- ting inclusive humanitarian the Forces Démocratiques roles which local authorities gether with other internatio- action pour la Libération du Rwanda, Community leaders could play in issuing demobi- nal child protection organiza- throughout 2016, a number discussed their role lization certificates to former tions. Geneva Call also worked More than 60 representatives of commanders allowed more in the demobilization child soldiers. on the development of this of indigenous and Afro- than 100 children to leave of child soldiers 10 Geneva Call Annual Report 2017 Geneva Call Annual Report 2017 11

Mali Libya of introducing LOAC at the Mohamed Lamine Bouhali, levels of military and civil au- a representative of the

Algeria thorities. Polisario Front, stated that Tunisia the Polisario Front was fulfill- • Tripoli Western Sahara ing its Deed of Commitment Mauritania pledge to destroy all the Spain Algeria Egypt mines in its possession. Furthermore, he called for Madeira Bamako Morocco the full clearance of mines • Burkina and ERW in Western Sahara. Faso Nigeria Nigeria Sudan Guinea Chad Canary Islands Algeria “The signature of the Deed of Commitment by Launch of a new programme First training session for the Polisario Front brought civil society in Tunisia the mine issue in Western Geneva Call launched its Mauritania Sahara to light and allowed programme in Mali in May. In December, in Tunisia, international humanitarian Following introductory mee- Geneva Call organized a first Destruction of 2 446 organizations, such as the tings, religious and commu- training session for Libyan stockpiled Anti-Personnel Red Cross, to come and bring nity leaders showed support civil society on the 15 rules mines (AP mines) support to the victims of AP for an analysis of the context of armed conflict. Nine parti- mines, whereas demining and potentially for passing cipants attended from a local In November, Geneva Call organizations were able to messages to armed non-State network of community acti- monitored the destruction start clearing the land”, said actors (ANSAs). One leader vists under the umbrella of a of 2 446 stockpiled anti-per- Aziz Haidar, President of the Africa of the “Coordination des Libyan organization speciali- sonnel mines by the Sahrawi Sahrawi Association of Mine Africa Mouvements de l’Azawad” zing in reconciliation efforts. Mine Action Coordination Victims. expressed interest in working The training session improved Office (SMACO), in -ac with Geneva Call and pro- the participants’ knowledge cordance with the Deed of posed to bring up the perti- of humanitarian norms, and Commitment banning AP nent issues with the coali- they committed to incorpo- mines signed by the Polisario tion’s leader and to share their rating the LOAC into their re- Front in 2005. The event charter. The “Plateforme”, conciliation and negotiation took place in the presence another armed actor active strategies and programmes. of the Polisario authorities, in Mali, also expressed inte- representatives of the United rest in training on the law of The participants felt that the Nations Mine Action Service armed conflict (LOAC). State training session was relevant (UNMAS), international authorities expressed support for them and expressed inte- demining organizations for Geneva Call’s work and the rest in more in-depth training and UN military observers. process of registration in the on more specific themes Following the Polisario country was launched. of the LOAC with direct rele- Front’s announcement in vance to their mandate. April 2017 that it would complete the destruction of According to the partici- all its remaining stockpiles pants, this could facilitate of AP mines by October 2018, discussions between par- this latest event brought the ties to the conflict in the total number of stockpiled future. Moreover, they also AP mines destroyed to expressed the importance 15 454. the destruction of stockpiles © Geneva Call – Monitoring Sahara of anti-personnel mines in Western 12 Asia and Europe Asia andEuropeAsia nate thematthe community were preparedto dissemi- derstanding ofthe normsand they hadacquiredagoodun- subsequently stated that organizations attended and women, fromavarietyof pants, eightofwhomwere in August. Twenty partici- norms took placewithCSOs a workshop onhumanitarian permissions, the necessary of thedifficultiesinsecuring After alengthy delay because takes place inThailand organizationssociety (CSO) First workshop for civil existing activitiesinMyanmar. with emergingarmednon-State actors inthePhilippinesandreinforcedits the evolution oftheconflict, itdecided to startahumanitarianengagement an assessmentto openaprogrammeinAfghanistanandPakistan. Following In 2017,GenevaCallopenedanewprogrammeinUkraineandconducted No. oftrainingfor civilians Geneva Call Thailand Myanmar Malaysia Bangkok Laos Cambodia Vietnam 2 and plan thedissemination discuss humanitarian norms Two seminarswere heldto humanitarian norms disseminated Naga communities India by theauthorities. the approval andfacilitation with Geneva Call in-country first activityundertaken by considering thatitwasthe significance waseven greater However,of thecountry. its rian normsinthedeepsouth dissemination ofhumanita- towards community-level portant asitwasafirststep level. Thistrainingwasim- Afgh. Pakistan New Delhi Annual Report Nepal Sri Lanka China Myanmar Bhutan Bangladesh Commitment. as signatories to Deedsof to meettheir obligations to redouble theirefforts They publicallyundertook society ontheissuesraised. by theactionstaken by civil were reportedly impressed Nagaland-Khole Kitovi, who National SocialistCouncil of (Isak Muivah) andthe Socialist Council ofNagalim oftheNational as observers, seminar wastheattendance, positive aspectofthefirst Another ting intheproject. pressed interest inparticipa- were promoted andex- humanitarian standardsthat All showed supportforthe nous peoples. ders andnon-Nagaindige- social workers, studentlea- tions, politicians,themedia, leaders, civilsocietyorganiza- among Nagatribes,women 200 key stakeholders from ties. Thesebroughttogether project forNagacommuni- 2017 of 2017. munities towards theend displayed in different com- messages. Theposters were conveying theirrespective strongly cal peopleandvery a way easilyunderstood by lo- trayed peopleandissuesin a local artist, andthey por a localartist, campaign weredesignedby Posters foradissemination Geneva Call nerally and theprotection sions onchildprotection ge- advancing technical discus- both becameinterested in Army-South (RCSS of ShanState and theRestoration Council Shan State Army (SSPP Shan State Progressive Party and otherchallenges,the the stallingpeaceprocess operate. FacedANSAs with openedupinareaswhere humanitarian interventions New opportunitiesto explore action open to humanitarian non-State actors (ANSAs) Areas controlled by armed No. ofcivilianparticipants No. ofarmedactors participants No. oftrainingfor civilians No. oftrainingfor armedactors Myanmar Bangladesh Naypyidaw • India / Shan State / Thailand SSA-S)

5 Laos China / Vietnam SSA) 3 - 91 36 / their areas. better the lives ofciviliansin to usethe LOAC asatool to creatively abouthow best thought criticallyand the workshop, participants organization). Throughout in Thailand(itssister Kachin Women’s Association Organization (KIO) andthe the KachinIndependence Women’s under Association the foundersofKachin mer women soldiersand Participants includedfor (LOAC). and thelaw ofarmedconflict child protection, gender a workshop onAPmines, organizations, participated in female leadersfromKachin including several key senior CSOs, from 14different More than20representatives norms trained onhumanitarian Kachin representatives linked to theirorganizations. studying atboardingschools influence, especiallythose under theircontrol and of childrenlivinginareas to improve thesituation in theirareasandstrategise personnel, visitschools conduct trainingsfortheir invited Geneva Callto children –bothgroups Commitment protecting such assigningtheDeedof commitment in2017– to make afirmpublic Although neitherwaspoised of educationinparticular. Annual Report - Pol. Ukraine actors operating inUkraine. the realitiesfacingarmed that could beadapted to training material andtools Call to develop additional to collaborate withGeneva andtheyproposed relevant, the trainingto behighly The participantsfound training. tion andmilitary into theirdoctrines,educa- ways ofintegrating thelaws were lessconfident about ly good,buttheparticipants knowledge wasconsistent state officials.Thelevel of training programmefor This waspartofalong-term applicable inarmedconflict. humanitarian normsthatare session ontheinternational ficials attended atraining More than40securityof was conducted the LOAC andhumanrights A firsttraining sessionon Romania Belarus Moldova • Kiev Russia - 2017 - 13 Asia and Europe 14 Geneva Call Annual Report 2017 Geneva Call Annual Report 2017 15 Workshop on the law of armed conflict with an armed group in Myanmar of armed conflict on the law © Geneva Call – Workshop Workshop on the law of armed conflict with an armed group in Myanmar of armed conflict on the law © Geneva Call – Workshop 16 New thematic areas of work facilities canalsoparalyse medical carepersonnel and attacksagainst impact, Besides theirimmediate and deprivationofvitalcare. destruction loss oflife,injury, this typeofviolence,suchas different consequences of is unequivocal. Thereare the realityonground worldwide dataismissing, Although comprehensive lities to come underattack. medical personnelandfaci- increasingly common for In recentyears,ithasbecome Protecting medical care developed itsactiononotherthematicareas. discrimination andtheprotection ofchildreninarmedconflict. In2017,it on anti-personnelmines,theprohibitionofsexualviolenceandgender compliance withinternational humanitariannorms,particularlyontheban Geneva Callhasengagedarmednon-State actors towards (ANSAs) areas ofwork New thematic Geneva Call Resolution 2286inGeneva of theUNSecurity Council informal Groupof Friends synergies. Italsobriefedthe to buildcollaboration and Sans Frontières Switzerland the RedCrossandMédecins International Committee of Health Organization,the actively withtheWorld 2017, GenevaCallliaised by key stakeholders. During this issuehasbeenwelcomed Geneva Call’sengagementon trend. thus furtherexacerbatingthe staff leaving conflict areas, may alsoleadto healthcare wounded fighters. Attacks civilian populationandeven to healthcareforthewider anddisruptaccess services ofemergency the delivery Annual Report several years.Following a on displacement issuesfor Geneva Callhas been working persons and protecting displaced Preventing displacement Foreign Affairs. Federal Departmentof Day organized by theSwiss well asintheHumanitarian Human RightsCouncil as in varioussideevents ofthe New York, andparticipated the Protection ofCiviliansin and theGroupofFriends on 2017 some cases,notonlybeatac forced displacementmay, in expense ofothergroups, for theirethnicgroupatthe aim isto defendaterritory ethnic agendaandwhose withastrong some ANSAs Additionally, especiallyfor under international law. direct obligationsforANSAs norms containing clear-cut, framework withonlyafew by complex avery legal the displacedareregulated ment andtheprotection of On theotherhand,displace- is often delicate avery topic. openness to discussingwhat Furthermore, theyshowed about theirlegalobligations. need andwantto know more –oneonwhichthey ANSAs topic ofgreatinterest to one hand,thatthiswasa showed,with ANSAs onthe testing oftrainingmaterial The pilotengagementsand with five ANSAs. project onthisthemein2017 initiate apilotengagement organization decidedto the feasibility assessment, topic in2013,andaninternal comprehensive studyonthe Geneva Call step approach,and focusing angles, adopting astep-by- ching thetopic from different is confident that by approa- Nevertheless, GenevaCall be challenging. behaviour andpracticewill cases, achievingachangeof or even araison d’être. Insuch rather amethodofwarfare tic theyuseonoccasionbut - topic. Call’s futurework onthis 2018 andwillinformGeneva report willbepublishedin Cultural Property. Thefull the International Journalof research werepublishedin heritage. Key findingsofthe on theprotection ofcultural portunities ofengagingthem as welltherisksandop- onculturalheritage, ANSAs responses to theimpactof specialized organizations’ Geneva Callalsoanalyzed and positive practices. examples ofbothnegative cultural heritage,identifying different attitudes towards Call’s researchmappedtheir those countries, Geneva operatingin with ANSAs conductedas interviews Mali, IraqandSyria,aswell desk andfieldresearchin cultural heritage.Basedon and research onANSAs Geneva Callcarriedout in armedconflict Protecting cultural heritage progress canbeachieved. the humanitarian perspective, not onlyonthelegalbutalso Annual Report Explosive Weapons (INEW). the International Network on Call hasbecome amemberof in populated areas,Geneva the useofexplosive weapons effortsontheissueof cacy In orderto strengthenadvo- Explosive-Weapons.pdf). dlm_uploads/2017/12/ call.org/wp-content/uploads/ https ://geneva- (see interest. were received withgreat ment community, wherethey widely withinthedisarma- in November andcirculated The findingswerepublished onthisissue. and otherANSAs advocacy effortswiththese humanitarian dialogueand Geneva Call’scontinued by willinform theseANSAs areas. Thepracticesidentified particularly inpopulated avoiding harmto civilians, use ofexplosive weaponsand practices withregardsto their ontheirpoliciesand ANSAs Geneva Callinterviewed explosive weapons Protecting civilians from 2017 17 New thematic areas of work 18 Media campaigns 3 89968 three weeks,10000posters where over thecourse of and north-eastofSyria, run inthenorth-west A poster campaignwas offline “Fighter NotKiller” channelsandradiostationsinfive differentTV countries. posters, radiospotsandamobileapplicationacrosssocialmedia, has involved disseminatingshortanimated videos,illustrated booklets, Geneva Callin2013,countries affected by armed Thecampaign conflict. isamediacampaignontherulesofwarlaunched by“Fighter notKiller” media to promote itsrespectincountries affected by armed conflict. of armedconflict. Theorganization conducted several campaignsonsocial In 2017,millionsofpeoplehave seenGeneva Call’svideosonthelaw campaigns Media Geneva Call online Facebook in2017 Campaigns “Fighter NotKiller” 1 925952 Iraq 2 083840 videos carrying theFighter videos carrying broadcastedez-Zor six TV) (Aleppo Today andDeir Syrian television channels were disseminated. Two 809 758 Annual Report 585 181 Yemen 424 704 for two months. daynot Killermessagesevery 2 696156 the videosandpage Number ofpeople interacting with Number of10-second videoviews Number ofpeople reached 1 057863 Turkey

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Asia and Europe Myanmar

Chin National Front/Army (CNF/CNA) Armed Actors Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA) Kachin Independence Organisation/Army (KIO/KIA)

Karen National Union Peace Council/Karen National Liberation Army Peace Council (KNU-PC/KNLA-PC)

Karen National Union/Karen National Liberation Army (KNU/KNLA)

Karenni National Progressive Party/Karenni Army (KNPP/KA)

New Mon State Party/Mon National Liberation Army (NMSP/MNLA)

Pa’O National Liberation Organization/Pa’O National Liberation Army (PNLO/PNLA)

Palaung State Liberation Front/Taan National Liberation Army (PSLF/TNLA)

Africa Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army-South (RCSS/SSA-S) Democratic Republic of the Congo Shan State Progressive Party/Shan State Army (North) (SSPP/SSA-N) Alliance des Patriotes pour un Congo Libre et Souverain (APCLS) India

Conseil national pour le renouveau et la démocratie (CNRD) Kuki National Front (KNF)

Forces pour la défense des droits humains (FDDH) Kuki National Organisation (KNO)

Forces Démocratiques pour la Libération du Rwanda (FDLR) National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang (NSCN-K)

Forces de Défense Congolaises (FDC) National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khole Kitovi (NSCN-KK)

Nduma Defense of Congo (NDC) National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak Muivah) (NSCN-IM)

Nduma Defense of Congo Rénové (NDCR) Revolutionary People’s Front/People’s Liberation Army (RPF/PLA)

List of Armed Actors Mali United National Liberation Front (UNLF) List of Armed Actors

Coordination des mouvements de l’Azawad (CMA) Zomi Re-unification Organisation (ZRO)

Plateforme des mouvements du 14 juin 2014 d’Alger (Plateforme) The Philippines

South Sudan Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF)

Sudanese People’s Liberation Movement/Army – in Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) Moro Islamic Liberation Front/Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (MILF/BIAF)

Sudan Ukraine

Justice and Equality Mouvement (JEM) Nationalist battalions

Sudan Liberation Movement/Army – Abdel Wahid al-Nur (SLM/A-AW) Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR)

Sudan Liberation Movement/Army – Minni Minnawi (SLM/A-MM) Luhansk People’s Republic (LPR)

Sudan People’s Liberation Movement – North (SPLM-N)

Western Sahara

Popular Front for the Liberation of Saguia el Hamra and Rio de Oro (Polisario Front)

Landmine ban Gender issues Displacement The ANSA has been engaged on this thematic area The ANSA has signed the Deed of Commitment on this thematic area The ANSA has newly been engaged by Geneva Call The ANSA signed the Deed of Commitment Child Protection Humanitarian norms Cultural heritage on this thematic area in 2017 on this thematic area in 2017 24 Geneva Call Annual Report 2017 Geneva Call Annual Report 2017 25

Latin America Colombia Syria

National Liberation Army (ELN) Islam Army (IA)

Near and Middle East Raqqa Internal Security Forces (RISF) Iran Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (PDKI) Turkey Free Life Party of Kurdistan (PJAK) People’s Defences Forces/ Kurdistan Worker’s Party (HPG/PKK) Komala Party of Iranian Kurdistan (KPIK) Yemen Komala Party of Kurdistan (KPK) Ansar Allah/Al-Houthi Movement Komalah – The Kurdistan Organization of the Communist Party of Iran (Komalah-CPI) Southern Transitional Council (STC) Kurdistan Freedom Party (PAK)

Kurdistan Democratic Party – Iran (KDP-Iran)

Iraq

Ezidkhan Protection Forces (HPE)

Kurdistan Democratic Party –Liwa 80 (Liwa 80)

Patriotic Union of Kurdistan –Liwa 70 (Liwa 70)

Kurdistan Regional Government–Peshmerga Forces

Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF)

Sunni Popular Mobilization Forces (Sunni PMF)

Sinjar Resistance Units (YBS)

Lebanon List of Armed Actors List of Armed Actors Forces of the Palestinian National Coalition (Tahaluf)

Hezbollah

Islamic Force in Ain al-Hilweh (IF)

Palestinian Liberation Organization/Palestinian National Security Forces (PLO/PNSF)

Syria Thematic areas

Ahrar al-Sham (AAS) Total of active ANSAs engaged to date 49 56 48 52 11 5

Democratic Self-Administration in Rojava/ Total of ANSAs already signatories to the Deed of Commitment - 26 23 24 - - People’s Protection Units/Women’s Protection Units (YPG-YPJ) ANSAs which became signatories in 2017 - 7 8 3 - - Free Syrian Army–Al-Mu’tasim Brigade (FSA-AMB)

Free Syrian Army–51st Brigade (FSA-51B)

Free Syrian Army–Hamza Division (FSA-HD)

Free Syrian Army–21st Force Union (FSA-21FU)

Free Syrian Army–23rd Division (FSA-23D)

Free Syrian Army–Central Division (FSA-CD)

Free Syrian Army–First Coastal Division (FSA-FCD)

Free Syrian Army–Izzah Army (FSA-IA)

Free Syrian Army–Southern Front (FSA-SF)

Free Syrian Army–Al Watan Liberation Movement (FSA-AWLM) 26 Geneva Call Annual Report 2017 Geneva Call Annual Report 2017 27

Geneva Call is grateful to all its donors and supporters :

The governments of Australia (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade), Finland, France, Italy (through the GICHD), Liechtenstein, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden (Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency), Switzerland (Human Security Division and Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation) and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (Department for International Development) through its embassy in Myanmar and Thailand.

The European Commission (Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection Department, including through Danish Church Aid and Save the Children Norway), UNESCO, UNICEF and UNMAS.

The Commune of Anières, the Commune of Chêne-Bougeries, the City of Geneva and the Republic and Canton of Geneva.

Association des Amis de la Fondation pour Genève, Mrs and Mr Demole, The Education Above All Foundation, the Folke Bernadotte Academy, Quaero Capital, Stiftung Usine and the Swiss Network for International Studies.

Donor List The Alexander Notter Fund donors, thanks to whose support demobilized

children in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo take M iddle East and Colombia part in socio-economic reintegration programmes, and activities are carried out among local communities in Iraqi Kurdistan to raise their awareness on the protection of children during armed conflict. ment with the Popular Mobilization Forces Mobilization Forces ment with the Popular Conference on Islam and the protection of civilians in Najaf on Islam and the protection © Geneva Call – Conference and humanitarian engage Design: CHAT&SA 28 Geneva Call Annual Report 2017 M iddle East and Colombia

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