Addis Ababa, September 16, 2024 (FBC) – Ethiopian team from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have attended an event that commemorates the 75th anniversary of the four Geneva Conventions today at the Skylight Hotel in Addis Ababa.
The event also served as the launch of the International Humanitarian Law Caucus, organized by the Government of Switzerland and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
In his keynote address, which was delivered on behalf of Foreign Minister Ambassador Taye Atske-Selassie, Mr. Semunegus Hailegiorgis highlighted the significance of the 75th anniversary, calling it a historic milestone that reflects the lasting legacy of humanitarian principles. He emphasized that the core values of the Geneva Conventions remain vital in upholding human dignity, even as the nature of armed conflict evolves. He urged continued commitment to these principles, which stand as vanguards of humanity.
Mr. Semunegus also noted Ethiopia’s longstanding commitment to the Geneva Conventions, having signed the first convention in 1949. He reaffirmed Ethiopia’s dedication to these principles as objectified in the country’s national laws and security practices. He highlighted the importance of adapting the Conventions to address contemporary technological and strategic challenges, calling on the ICRC to enhance its efforts in this regard.
Statements were also made by Bruce Mokaya Orina, Head of the ICRC Delegation to the African Union, Pietro Mona, Ambassador of Switzerland to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the AU, IGAD and UNECA who were present at the event along with other dignitaries, international representatives, and humanitarian experts to reflect on the Conventions’ enduring legacy.
The four Geneva Conventions are ratified by all UN member states and widely incorporated into regional and national laws. In Africa, the Constitutive Act of the Union, the Kampala Convention on IDPs, and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child contain provisions supporting the Conventions, as reported by MFA Ethiopia.