The protection of civilians in armed conflicts is an important goal of Swiss foreign policy. It is committed to ensuring that human dignity is also safeguarded during armed conflicts and that the rules of international law are observed even in times of war. Here are a few examples from across our regions of operation and priority areas.
In 1999, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution that introduced the protection of civilians in armed conflict for the first time. With the rapidly changing international environment, the difficulty of humanitarian access into Gaza, sexual violence and indiscriminate attacks on civilians in Sudan, attacks on civilian infrastructure in Ukraine and three million people displaced by the conflict in Myanmar, the principles of international humanitarian law are being eroded.
Violations are frequent and the parties involved in hostilities often apply selectively the rules of international law, international humanitarian law and human rights law – or ignore them altogether. This was emphasised today by Thomas Gürber, Deputy State Secretary of the FDFA, at the Security Council in New York.
Switzerland is contributing to strengthen respect for international law in Colombia and Myanmar
Switzerland is one of four states supporting the peace process between the armed group Ejército de liberación nacional (ELN) and the Colombian government, and is one of the guarantor states for the start of peace negotiations between the government and the Estado Mayor Central de las FARC-EP (EMC). It is working towards a ceasefire and cessation of attacks and threats against protected persons and property. As part of the implementation of the 2016 peace agreement, Switzerland is also providing technical expertise in relation to the participation of civil society, the ceasefire and dealing with the past. At the request of the Colombian government and the FARC-EP, it is also keeping an original copy of the 2016 final agreement and a backup copy of the archives of the Colombian Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
After a long civil war, Myanmar remains one of the countries most affected by landmines in the world. Since the military coup of 2021, the proliferation of landmines has reached alarming levels, posing a serious threat to civilian populations. The number of civilian victims of accidents caused by landmines rose by 270% from 2022 to 2023. Switzerland has been supporting Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) since 2014, in partnership with the Danish Refugee Council (DRC). Interventions focused mainly on Mine Risk Education and Victim assistance, while building capacities of key stakeholders/duty bearers and supporting coordination structures at the local level. The new phase will pilot increased engagement with weapon bearers to sensitize them about the mine issue, but also to gain acceptance for recording and marking the location of contaminated areas.
On Tuesday, a debate in the Council initiated by Mozambique aimed to reaffirm the historical importance of the international rules established over the last century, since the signing of the Geneva Conventions 75 years ago. The aim of the exchange was to strengthen the protection of civilians worldwide by emphasising the urgent need to increase the commitment of UN member states and other stakeholders to respect and promote the principles of international humanitarian law and human rights.
"The Geneva Conventions are the cornerstone of the normative edifice that we have built brick by brick from the rubble of wars to protect civilians. It is therefore difficult to understand why we are now deconstructing our own work with words and deeds," emphasised Thomas Gürber during the Council debate. Stronger mechanisms are needed to ensure compliance and accountability, particularly in a context where the nature and methods of warfare are constantly changing.
Switzerland provides protection in Ukraine
Switzerland funds the activities and capacity building of local protection actors, who are often the only ones able to operate in the areas close to the frontline. With mobile protection teams, they identify and monitor protection risks, provide information on humanitarian services, legal counselling and psychosocial support for vulnerable people still living in the conflict zone.
In parallel, Switzerland initiated and supported the broad-based protection of volunteers and local humanitarian personnel through life and accident insurance, offering professional mental health services to local responders, providing access to protective and medical equipment and offering specialised training in the areas of medicine, security and safety.
