INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW CONFERENCE:

Transcription

1 INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW CONFERENCE: PROTECTION OF VULNERABLE PERSONS UNDER INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW: CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS FOR INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS AND HEALTHCARE WORKERS Human Rights Research and Education Centre, University of Ottawa Ottawa, Ontario January 25, 2017 EXTERNAL REPORT Prepared By Olivia Hamilton Provincial IHL Coordinator Canadian Red Cross, Ontario

2 Table of Contents Background... 3 Objective... 3 Summary... 3 Annex 1 Event Poster... 5 Annex 2 Agenda... 6 Annex 3 Speaker Biographies... 8 Annex 4 Photos

3 Background This conference was the second half-day IHL Conference in Ottawa and was coordinated by the International Humanitarian Law Unit of the Canadian Red Cross in Ontario through it s partnership with the Human Rights, Research and Education Centre (HRREC) at the University of Ottawa. This event was further made possible thanks to the contributions of Global Affairs Canada through its Strategic Partnership with the Canadian Red Cross. The organizing committee was supported by the work of the International Humanitarian Law Working Group for Ottawa (IHL WG OTT), who assisted with the pre-conference planning which included thematic research and reading list development, developing moderated questions as well as event promotions, registration, and photography. Objective The objective of the conference was not only to educate the public and bring awareness to the discussion surrounding IHL and the protection of vulnerable persons in times of armed conflict, but also to engage academics and students alike in discussions on the application of IHL and the role of the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement in promoting and safe-guarding these laws. This conference was attended by 70 professionals and students including students of law and international relations, lawyers, professors, humanitarian field staff and Global Affairs Canada staff. Summary The conference was opened by John Packer, Director, Human Rights Research and Education Centre, University of Ottawa. Professor Packer welcomed everyone and provided opening remarks to the conference followed by Catherine Gribbin, Senior Legal Advisor, IHL, for the Canadian Red Cross, who provided an introductory overview of International Humanitarian Law as a base for further discussions throughout the afternoon. This concluded the first portion of the conference prior to the two panel discussions. The first panel, titled Healthcare in Danger, and moderator, Ms. Julia Sanchez, CEO of the Canadian Council for International Cooperation, were introduced by Professor Packer while the panel members were introduced by Ms. Sanchez herself. The first speaker was Dr. Jason Nickerson, Humanitarian Affairs Advisor for Doctors Without Borders (MSF), who presented on Protection of Healthcare in an Emergency Context which provided an overview of the work done by MSF, the threats to medical personnel and consequences to access to medical treatment in emergency settings. This presentation was followed by Dr. Haytham Qosa, Health and Recovery Manager, Canadian Red Cross, who spoke about his experience in the field through a series of photos, bringing images to the work that is done and the realities on the ground amidst protracted crises, in his presentation entitled Protection of Healthcare: Field Experience in a Fragile and Conflict Affected 3

4 Context. Ms. Sharonya Sekhar, Policy Advisor, Canadian Red Cross, was the final speaker on panel one and delivered an Overview of the Policy Recommendations of the Healthcare in Danger Initiative. This took the discussion from an impression of the current situation to initiatives that are and should be taking place to improve what is presently occurring in the field and to reduce the violations of IHL. At the conclusion of this panel, the moderator opened the floor for a question-andanswer period. During a break for coffee/tea, a video produced by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) was shown in the background which summarized the Healthcare In Danger Initiative about which Ms. Sekhar spoke, while others reflected on the information presented up to that point and used the time to network with the speakers, organizing committee and one another before reconvening for the second panel of the afternoon. Professor Packer introduced the second panel on Conflict-Induced Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) along with the speakers. Mr. Robert Young, Consultant for the ICRC, was the first to deliver remarks on the report which he had substantially drafted, entitled Translating the Kampala Convention into Practice, which summarized the...world s first ever legally binding instrument on IDPs... 1 and the report s main recommendations for monitoring the implementation of this Convention. The next speaker was Mr. Jean-Nicolas Beuze, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Representative in Canada, who spoke to the mandate of UNHCR and their work in the protection of IDPs. The final speaker on panel two, Mr. Andrew Carswell, Senior Delegate to Canada for the ICRC, spoke to the mandate of the ICRC and how it works to protect IDPs in conflict affected areas. At the conclusion of the presentations, the moderator invited attendees to pose questions to the panelists. The conference closed with remarks from Ms. Svetlana Ageeva, IHL Advisor for Ontario, Canadian Red Cross. Ms. Ageeva also took this time to thank the guest speakers, draw attention to the Feedback Form in the attendee s packages as well as invite everyone to an informal reception that took place on the 5 th floor of the Fauteux Building immediately after the conference. Many attendees joined the reception where light refreshments were served, and took advantage of the time to network and engage with the speakers, organizing committee and one another. 1 ICRC, Translating the Kampala Convention into Practice: A stocktaking exercise, 2016, pg. 9. 4

5 Annex 1 Event Poster 5

6 Annex 2 Agenda 6

7 7

8 Annex 3 Speaker Biographies 8

9 9

10 10

11 11

12 Annex 4 Photos Professor John Packer, Director of the Human Rights Research and Education Centre, University of Ottawa, delivering opening remarks. 12

13 Ms. Catherine Gribbin, Senior Legal Advisor, IHL, Canadian Red Cross, delivering an Introduction to International Humanitarian Law. Ms. Julia Sanchez, CEO of the Canadian Council for International Cooperation, as Moderator for the Panel on Healthcare in Danger 13

14 Dr. Jason Nickerson, Humanitarian Affairs Advisor for Doctors Without Borders (MSF), delivering his presentation on the Protection of Healthcare in an Emergency Context. Dr. Haytham Qosa, Health and Recovery Manager, Canadian Red Cross, delivering his presentation on the Protection of Healthcare: Field Experience in a Fragile and Conflict Affected Context. 14

15 Ms. Sharonya Sekhar, Policy Advisor, Canadian Red Cross, delivering her presentation on an Overview of the Policy Recommendations of the Healthcare in Danger Initiative. 15

16 Professor John Packer, Director of the Human Rights Research and Education Centre, University of Ottawa, as Moderator for the second panel on Conflict-Induced Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). Mr. Robert Young, Consultant for the International Committee of the Red Cross, delivering his presentation on the Operationalisation of the Kampala Convention. 16

17 \ Mr. Jean-Nicolas Beuze, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Representative in Canada, delivering his remarks on UNHCR s Mandate and the Protection of IDPs. Mr. Andrew Carswell, Sr. Delegate to Canada for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), delivering his remarks on the ICRC and the Protection of IDPs. 17

18 Reception Reception Catering 18