70 years Geneva Convention – an anniversary with a smack
Published on 12. August 2019
from CADUS-PR
70-years-geneva-convention-an-anniversary-with-a-smack-feature-DSC_0146-95078b95
The Geneva Conventions celebrate 70th anniversary. Increasingly the four agreements, which can´t be overestimated in their significance, are losing importance.
The four Geneva agreements of 1949 are now seventy years old. Under the impressions of World War II, especially rules for the protection of civilians were laid down here. Still a milestone and the foundation for humanitarian action today, which has certainly often prevented worse.
Nevertheless, many questions remain: to what extent can rules and humanity be implemented in a war at all? How can compliance with the Convention be effectively controlled and violations sanctioned? Do the regulations of the four agreements even correspond to the reality of modern warfare?
Geneva convention in danger
There is no doubt that the Geneva Convention is under great pressure. The erosion of the agreements as part of the fight against terror, asymmetric wars and civil wars is clearly noticeable. It is not just terrorist organizations that see the red cross or the red crescent as a target rather than as an international symbol of protection. Syria, Yemen, Iraq – Hospitals and transports of injured are being targeted by state forces around the globe.
It is therefore all the more important to document these incidents and to hold those responsible to account. The Geneva Convention must be preserved as an institution on which people around the world can rely, knowing that it will be implemented. We can not even think of extending the conventions in these days; sadly there is a great danger that existing regulations will be flouted and watered down.
The strict implementation of the Geneva Convention and the consistent punishment of violations would probably be the most beautiful gifts you could wish for on this 70th anniversary.
Published
Author: by Jonas Grünwald
Monitoring the Patient While the Sky Monitors You.
Medical neutrality becoming psychologically uncertain. The Red Cross, ambulance, hospital, scrubs, or medical role ordinarily signify protection and neutrality. Under persistent surveillance, you may intellectually understand those protections while simultaneously feeling that being identifiable does not necessarily make you safe.
Heat – More than just hot
Climate change will lead to an increase in prolonged heat waves. Yet heat is much more than just a weather phenomenon. It affects our social life, health, the environment, politics, and, very specifically, our operations in crisis areas – and thus becomes a matter of global justice.
Meet Our Team: Felix, Head of Finance
Behind every humanitarian response in a crisis zone is a team based in Berlin that ensures everything runs smoothly. One of them is our colleague Felix. He has been with CADUS for two years, and for over a year he has been leading our financial management as Head of Finance. In this interview, he explains how he and his team bridge the gap between the German tax office and the reality on the ground in a war zone.
