The second voluntary report includes Switzerland's experience at the UN Security Council and consolidates its action in the field of IHL, in particular Security Council Resolution 2730 on the protection of humanitarian personnel. The resolution was tabled by Switzerland and adopted by the Council on 24 May 2024. The report also analyses Switzerland's progress in its implementation of IHL at national level as well as identifying new challenges – particularly in the digital field – and practical measures to address these issues. In addition, it reflects recent developments in IHL (legislative amendments, changes in domestic practices, new strategies) and topical issues such as humanitarian exemptions and new technologies. Another objective in issuing the second voluntary report is to encourage other countries to do likewise.
Today's global context is marked by an escalating number of armed conflicts, such as the war in Ukraine and the conflicts in the Middle East. This makes respect for IHL and the implementation of its rules a priority. The voluntary reporting framework helps assess national practices and identify the main challenges. It also fosters exchanges between states on best practice and what measures are needed in order to improve compliance with IHL.
At the 33rd International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent in Geneva in 2019, domestic implementation of IHL was defined as a priority. The following year, the Federal Council published Switzerland's first report – one of the first in the world. In view of the fact that compliance is one of the biggest challenges facing IHL today, contributing to the dissemination and implementation of these rules is all the more important. Violations of IHL can only be prevented if individual states establish a robust culture of compliance – well before a conflict even occurs. It is in this spirit that Switzerland is now publishing its second voluntary report – for respect for IHL depends on the actions and responsibility of each and every state.
A critical year for international humanitarian law
The year 2024 marks the 75th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949. During this commemorative year Switzerland has continued to reiterate the importance of these conventions, which still save millions of lives, as well as the fact that compliance with their provisions is in everyone's interest, as IHL is the best facilitator of a return to peace. The numerous violations of IHL do not mean the rules are ineffective; rather, it shows us the human weakness in implementing them.
This year Geneva will host the 34th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, giving the international community another opportunity to renew its commitment to IHL via clear measures. Alongside Burkina Faso, Italy, the UK, Ukraine and Uruguay, Switzerland will be organising a side-event to promote the voluntary reporting system. Switzerland's second voluntary report will therefore aid the discussions on what practical measures can be taken in specific fields such as arms regulation, protecting the Red Cross emblem and cultural property, issues concerning criminal prosecution, and private military and security companies.
The subject of IHL will also be at the heart of the Conference of the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention, which the UN General Assembly recently mandated Switzerland to convene in its capacity as depositary state of the Geneva Conventions. The conference will focus on implementing the Fourth Geneva Convention (protection of the civilian population) in the occupied Palestinian territory, which includes East Jerusalem. Switzerland has received similar mandates from the General Assembly in the past, hosting conferences in 1999, 2001 and 2014.
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