The fourth session: The Geneva Conventions and Related International Organizations. Rania Rajji, a Practitioner in Human Rights and IHL
To mark the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the cornerstone of international humanitarian law "The Four Geneva Conventions" Qanun, in collaboration with the Canadian Red Cross, organized a series of four educational sessions led by experts in international humanitarian law. The sessions provided an introduction to the Geneva Conventions, exploring their origins, legal framework, principles, and the roles of relevant international organizations.
In this session, Rajji, an expert in International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and human rights, explored the mechanisms responsible for enforcing the Geneva Conventions. The lecture provided a detailed overview of key international actors, including the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which delivers neutral humanitarian assistance, the United Nations Security Council, with its mandate for peacekeeping and conflict resolution, and the International Criminal Court (ICC), which prosecutes individuals for war crimes and other serious violations.
Rajji also emphasized the critical role of non-governmental organizations, such as Doctors Without Borders, in providing aid and bearing witness in conflict zones. She discussed the work of UN Human Rights Council investigative commissions, which document violations and support accountability efforts.
The session highlighted the persistent challenges to enforcement in politically charged environments. Al-Rajhi contrasted the relatively swift international response to the war in Ukraine with the delayed and often inadequate action in conflicts such as those in Yemen and Sudan—differences she attributed not to legal shortcomings, but to geopolitical interests.
Key Topics Covered:
Canadian Red Cross
