Suchergebnisse

This article demonstrates that civil society, in particular the Coalition for the International Criminal Court (Coalition), played a significant role in the creation of the Statute for the ICC. At the ten year anniversary of the ICC entry into force, a reflection on the impact of civil society in this particular treaty negotiation is useful and aims to tell an important element of the ICC story often not exposed. The Coalition was developed to act as an umbrella for a range of organisations wishing to see a just and effective ICC and was actively involved in the negotiations in New York and Rome. From writing papers, directly lobbying delegates, hosting meetings and events, creating daily updates and linking the UN discussions back to capitals, members of the Coalition worked hard on ensuring a voice wider than State representatives was heard in the debate. The Coalition members also provided a crucial connection with the media and added creativity, emotion and colour to the diplomatic negotiations. Noting the philosophical differences between various groups within civil society on the ICC and the careful processes and procedures used by the Coalition, this article highlights the tension between diversity and efficiency within the non-government organisation community.

Abstract
The faithful application of ihl during armed conflicts requires working on a variety of systems, structures and institutions that exist within a society, to ensure that the environment is conducive to respect for the law. Accordingly, there are many different roads to travel down, from developing and interpreting international legal rules to building adequate domestic frameworks, and from training armed actors on the rules applicable in warfare to working with communities affected by violence to ensure their voices are heard. This article aims to recognize the value of bringing different actors together, fostering complementarity among them and joining their forces towards the common aim of ensuring better respect for the law. Based on recent examples and studies in the field of ihl training, application and implementation, the article also aims to help humanitarian practitioners, armed actors, diplomats, legal scholars and others identify ways to work together and cross-fertilize their work.

AbstractThis article examines the meaning and potential usefulness of a 'gender perspective' on international humanitarian law (IHL). In order to do so, it considers a number of 'gendered' themes found within IHL, including the role of women as combatants, and the gendered use of sexual violence during times of armed conflict. The authors suggest that further development and understanding of a gender perspective will contribute to the resilience and effectiveness of IHL as a system of law, and will strengthen the protection of those who are victimized and disempowered during times of war.

Journalists and other media personnel perform a crucial role in armed conflicts. In the absence of functioning civil society, which, in peacetime can survey the behaviour of governments and other parties, and report on breaches of law, journalists are often the only parties on the ground able to document and publicise such breaches. Like humanitarian workers, they are often the only group that can bring to the attention of the world breaches of international humanitarian law and the horrific consequences which flow from armed conflict without limits. This article will consider the protections afforded to journalists under international humanitarian law and the practical assistance given to journalists by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).