Status of the Protocols Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 1949
and relating to the protection of victims of armed conflicts
A/RES/69/120
partners such as national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies, to facilitate the
sharing of concrete experience and the exchange of views on their roles and on the
challenges they face,
Stressing the possibility of making use of the International Humanitarian FactFinding Commission in relation to an armed conflict, pursuant to article 90 of
Protocol I4 to the Geneva Conventions,
Stressing also the possibility for the International Humanitarian Fact-Finding
Commission to facilitate, through its good offices, the restoration of an attitude of
respect for the Geneva Conventions and Protocol I,
Taking note of the fact that, in paragraphs 8 and 9 of its resolution 1894 (2009)
of 11 November 2009 on the protection of civilians in armed conflict, the Security
Council noted the range of existing methods used, on a case-by-case basis, for
gathering information on alleged violations of applicable international law relating
to the protection of civilians, underlined the importance in that regard of receiving
information that is timely, objective, accurate and reliable, and considered the
possibility, to that end, of using the International Humanitarian Fact-Finding
Commission established by article 90 of Protocol I,
Mindful of the role of the International Committee of the Red Cross in offering
protection to the victims of armed conflicts,
Noting with appreciation the continuing efforts of the International Committee
of the Red Cross to promote and disseminate knowledge of international
humanitarian law, in particular the Geneva Conventions and the Additional
Protocols,
Noting the special responsibilities of national Red Cross and Red Crescent
societies, as auxiliaries to the public authorities of their respective States in the
humanitarian field, to cooperate with and assist their Governments in the promotion,
dissemination and implementation of international humanitarian law,
Welcoming the universal acceptance of the Geneva Conventions of 1949,
particularly in the year of the 150th anniversary of the adoption of the original
Geneva Convention,
Recalling the undertakings of the Thirty-first International Conference of the
Red Cross and Red Crescent, held in Geneva from 28 November to 1 December
2011, at which the Conference reaffirmed the need to reinforce the implementation
of and respect for international humanitarian law,
Welcoming the launch of the initiative by Switzerland, in collaboration with
the International Committee of the Red Cross, to facilitate a process aimed at
exploring and identifying concrete ways and means to strengthen the application of
international humanitarian law, including ensuring the effectiveness of mechanisms
of compliance and reinforcing dialogue on issues of international humanitarian law,
Noting the initiative by the International Committee of the Red Cross to
facilitate a process regarding the legal protection of all persons deprived of their
liberty in relation to armed conflict,
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4
2/5
Ibid., vol. 1125, No. 17512.