A webinar to launch a new publication by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) entitled ‘Allies, Partners and Proxies - Managing Support Relationships in Armed Conflict to Reduce the Human Cost of War’, which aims at guiding decision makers in bringing a humanitarian dimension in the design and implementation of any kind of support to warring parties in any conflict.

Over the last two decades of frontline operations, the ICRC has observed the increasing prevalence of external actors’ intervention in armed conflicts, in support of belligerents on the ground. Such support takes various shapes and forms, as actors look to share the financial, political, and operational burden of pursuing their strategic objectives. Ultimately, these relationships can escalate and prolong conflict and impose heavy humanitarian costs on civilians and those not fighting. Yet at the same time, they also provide an opportunity to expand their protection and reduce the human cost of war.

The ICRC’s practical guide demonstrates the complexity of support relationships and calls for greater consideration of their humanitarian impact. It also calls for actors in a support relationship to take greater individual and collective responsibility for ensuring that civilians and others not fighting are protected.

By identifying practical measures that can be taken in support relationships to prevent or minimise humanitarian consequences, the ICRC has produced a preliminary framework designed to prompt further reflection and engagement on such critical issues. This is particularly relevant to key stakeholders across various parts of government, be they political figures, policymakers, legislators, weapon export controllers or military commanders, all of whom are influencing the course of armed conflicts by enabling support to actors on the ground.

The ICRC practical guide will be presented by Thomas Hallier, Head of ICRC’s “Support Relationships in Armed Conflicts” Initiative, followed by a discussion with:

  • Dr Peter Maurer, President, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Geneva
  • Ms Ottilia Anna Maunganidze, Head of Special Projects, Institute for Security Studies (ISS), Pretoria
  • Major General (Ret’d) James Chiswell CB CBE MC, Former UK MOD Operations Director

The discussion will be moderated by Dr Karin von Hippel, Director-General, RUSI.

This event is open to all and will take place online via Zoom.

To take part you must pre-register no later than 13 April using the ‘Register Now’ button above.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. If you have any questions, please e-mail Emilia Markert, Events Manager, at: EmiliaM@rusi.org

Cet article vous a été utile et vous a plu ? Soutenez notre publication !

L’ensemble des publications sur ce site est en accès libre et gratuit car l’essentiel de notre travail est rendu possible grâce au soutien d’un collectif de partenaires. Néanmoins tout soutien complémentaire de nos lecteurs est bienvenu ! Celui-ci doit nous permettre d’innover et d’enrichir le contenu de la revue, de renforcer son rayonnement pour offrir à l’ensemble du secteur humanitaire une publication internationale bilingue, proposant un traitement indépendant et de qualité des grands enjeux qui structurent le secteur. Vous pouvez soutenir notre travail en vous abonnant à la revue imprimée, en achetant des numéros à l’unité ou en faisant un don. Rendez-vous dans notre espace boutique en ligne ! Pour nous soutenir par d’autres actions et nous aider à faire vivre notre communauté d’analyse et de débat, c’est par ici !