ICRC Cassis calls on states to apply international humanitarian law

"Let us lead by example!" This is what Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis said at the opening of the 34th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent in Geneva on Monday. He called on states to apply international humanitarian law.

"The current humanitarian environment is complex," said the Swiss Foreign Minister to the thousands of delegates gathered. "In addition to armed conflicts, there are other aggravating factors such as climate change, migration, epidemics and deep fakes that fuel tensions - as do new technologies if they are used incorrectly," said Cassis.

The conference was eagerly awaited, especially as it was postponed by a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, among other things.

The conference, which normally takes place every four years, is attended by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and its 191 members, as well as the 196 signatory states to the Geneva Conventions.

SDA