In a resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly on 18 September 2024, Switzerland was invited in its capacity as depositary state to convene a Conference of High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions. Since then, Switzerland has held extensive consultations with the high contracting parties. The aim of these consultations was to decide on the arrangements for such a conference and to prepare a draft final declaration on the implementation of the Fourth Geneva Convention in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem.
These consultations took place in several stages and led to the development of a draft final declaration based exclusively on the comments and contributions of the high contracting parties and on international humanitarian law. On 27 February 2025, Switzerland submitted a draft final declaration to the high contracting parties. This document recalled the fundamental obligations of international humanitarian law, the observance of which is particularly threatened in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem. On this basis, the depositary convened a conference of all the high-contracting parties, scheduled for 7 March 2025 in Geneva..
Lack of consensus
Given the feedback on the draft declaration of 27 February 2025 it became clear that the divergent positions of the high contracting parties meant there would not be sufficient support from the international community to hold the conference and adopt a final declaration.
The depositary sought compromise solutions, but was obliged to recognise the lack of consensus, and informed the high contracting parties on 6 March 2025 that the conference would not take place. Switzerland then duly informed the UN Secretary General, while reaffirming its services as depositary state.
The consultations were led by Ambassador Franz Perrez, Head of the Directorate of International Law (DIL) of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), and Ambassador Salman Bal.
The Geneva Conventions of 1949
The four Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols are the cornerstone of international humanitarian law. International humanitarian law is a set of rules designed to limit the effects of armed conflict. It protects people who are not or are no longer taking part in hostilities, and restricts the available means and methods of warfare. The conventions, which were adopted in 1949, establish rules for protecting people in wartime. They aim to limit suffering by defining rules of conduct for conflicting parties, notably by protecting the wounded, prisoners of war and civilians.
Switzerland is the depositary state of the Geneva Conventions. This status confers upon it administrative responsibilities such as maintaining the list of high contracting parties and transmitting and preserving texts, communications and acts of states parties. As the depositary state, Switzerland is mandated to act on behalf of, and in the service of, the high contracting parties, and has a duty to be impartial.
Although they cannot take binding decisions, conferences of high contracting parties can reaffirm the rules of international humanitarian law and the obligations of the high contracting parties in this regard.
Further information:
The Conference of High Contracting Parties
Address for enquiries:
FDFA Communication
Federal Palace West Wing
CH-3003 Bern, Switzerland
Tel. Press service: +41 58 460 55 55
E-mail: kommunikation@eda.admin.ch
Twitter: @SwissMFA
