IHL (Page 2)

Journalists play a critical role in reporting what is happening on the ground during armed conflicts. This puts journalists in a unique and important position when it comes to International Humanitarian Law, as they witness first-hand what is happening. Check out this series of webinars for journalists to learn more about International Humanitarian Law, and resources that are available. 

On June 20, World Refugee Day, the Canadian Red Cross launched its new interactive, online resource, Forced to Fight. Designed for teachers and students between 13-18 years old, Forced to Fight helps explain International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and humanitarian issues by allowing the user to experience what it is like for young people living in situations of armed conflict around the world.

For those of us who are fans of the show, Game of Thrones can create some internal conflict. We love watching the characters, but sometimes their actions can be so... hard to watch! Some Red Cross superfans found a perfect way to reconcile their humanitarian spirit and love for the show. To mark the eighth and final season of Game of Thrones, Australian Red Cross has analyzed every previous episode to reveal the television epic’s worst war criminal.
 

For the last ten years, armed conflicts and violence has caused an unprecedented level of human suffering in places like Syria, Iraq, and Yemen. The Red Cross and Red Crescent is on the ground, providing impartial and life-saving aid to those who are caught in these conflicts - including surgical care. 

Robots fighting wars seems like something straight out of science fiction – but with modern technology this is becoming a reality. As technology rapidly advances, the idea that autonomous weapons could select and attack targets without humans making the final targeting decisions has left the realm of science fiction into a future that is very possible.

During two panel discussions – “Reporting from Conflict Zones” and “Reporting from the Middle East” – journalists Ray Homer, Lisa LaFlamme, Laura Lynch, Grant McDonald, Zein Almoghraby, Sylvène Gilchrist and Tara Sutton described their experiences working in some of the world’s most dangerous areas.

Images of International Humanitarian Law violations are becoming more and more visible, and the cost of those violations shows just how important these laws are. When civilians, healthcare or humanitarian assistance are targeted, it is a decision, not an accident. 

In the past week, an already volatile situation in Ukraine escalated as heavy artillery and rocket fire hit residential areas in the eastern part of the country, ending a fragile ceasefire.  The fighting has put already vulnerable civilians at heightened risk, with the Red Cross warning of a deteriorating humanitarian situation.