Diakonia International Humanitarian Law Centre

"Law is separate from politics" Stephen Wilkinson Director of Diakonia International Humanitarian Law Centre was featured on BBC Radio 5 Live to discuss the independent commission of inquiry mandated by the United Nations Human Rights Council on Israel-oPt. 🎧 Have a listen to the clip below as he discusses the differences between this investigation and the International Court of Justice (ICJ)'s recent proceedings.#IHL #WarCrimes #WarsAgainstHumanity For more legal updates, visit diakonia.se/ihl

In November 2024, the Diakonia IHL Centre – Syria Regional Desk held a two-day workshop in Gaziantep, Türkiye with 21 representatives from 15 NGOs working in northwest Syria and active in key sectors such as protection, healthcare, education, shelter, and WASH. The objective of the workshop was to introduce and validate the Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) Tool. The HRDD Tool integrates human rights considerations into the planning and implementation of humanitarian projects in conflict zones. The tool was developed by the Syrian Legal Development Programme with support from the Diakonia IHL Centre – Syria Regional Desk and the Syrian Civil Society Networks Platform. During the workshop, participants were introduced to the international legal framework relevant to northwest Syria and engaged in discussions on key human rights and protection risks. The session also included collaborative testing of the tool, with valuable feedback shared to enhance its effectiveness. Looking ahead, the Syria Regional Desk will now expand the tool's introduction and testing beyond Syria. Next month the Syria Regional Desk will host the Humanitarian Aid Workers Training in Amman, Jordan. During the training, participants from humanitarian organizations operating across the Middle East region will validate the Human Rights Due Diligence Tool. The training will also serve as a platform to develop a strategy for introducing the tool in global contexts. The Diakonia IHL Centre is part of the Blue Sky Collective Initiative, funded by the Disasters Emergency Committee and led by Christian Aid.

The IHL Centre welcomes the emerging ceasefire in #Gaza and #Israel.

Our IHL Advisory Service offers tailored legal and policy advice on the laws of armed conflict to stakeholders worldwide, such as states, humanitarian service providers, UN mechanisms, independent investigative bodies, and local civil society groups. The IHL Advisory Service has been a central element of the Centre’s work since 2017. Since launching the IHL Advisory Service across multiple contexts we have been able to support many stakeholders on a diverse range of issues. These include the classification of conflicts, protection of humanitarian objects and workers, the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the application of IHL, identification and prosecution of war crimes, as well providing strategic and tactical advice on how to use IHL in high level negotiations. Get in touch here: https://lnkd.in/eC2g-vyW

New legal update from our Jerusalem Desk on the use of force by Israel in the West Bank.

The Syria Regional Desk at the Diakonia International Humanitarian Law Centre has issued an urgent statement calling upon Syria's transitional government and de facto authorities to uphold humane treatment and provide due process rights for all individuals under their jurisdiction. Due process rights and the obligation to ensure fair trials are not only legal imperatives but also essential to fostering a sustainable and just peace in Syria. Full statement here: https://lnkd.in/dK2u6_ka

New issue of Voice Out Loud available now! ✨Make sure to check out this edition with the theme Upholding Humanity - The role and future of International Humanitarian Law, to which we have contributed with a piece on upholding accountability. Thankful to have had an opportunity to contribute to this publication as a member of the ACT Alliance EU. Read the full issue here: https://bit.ly/VOL38 Yvette Issar

In light of the ongoing debate over the principle of non-refoulement and concerning reports of potential violations by host countries, the Syria Regional Desk at the Diakonia International Humanitarian Law Centre has released a crucial Q&A paper clarifying the applicable legal framework. This initiative aims to support relevant stakeholders in addressing these issues responsibly, ensuring the protection of civilians at risk of rights violations in both host and home countries. International law mandates a balance between state sovereignty and the protection of individual rights. While countries party to the 1951 Refugee Convention have specific obligations towards asylum seekers, even non-signatory states are required to respect the rights of individuals seeking protection. This document, presented in a question-and-answer format, addresses key legal issues related to the ongoing protection needs of Syrian refugees. For a comprehensive understanding, download the full PDF in English or Arabic here: https://lnkd.in/duGkNdyr #NonRefoulement #RefugeeRights #InternationalLaw #HumanitarianResponse #Syria

For over two months, North Gaza has been subjected to a siege and cut off from essential resources and aid deliveries. Already devastated hospitals have come under attack, and hundreds of thousands have been displaced in catastrophic conditions with nowhere safe to go. Our new legal update provides an assessment of the situation in North Gaza pursuant to the law of occupation and the law of siege warfare, concluding that Israel’s conduct is unlawful and triggers the obligations of third States. Full analysis here: https://lnkd.in/da9y-Edi

On #HumanRightsDay, we reaffirm the universal truth: every person deserves dignity, equality, and freedom. Together, let's stand up for justice and ensure no one is left behind. 🌍 ✊ #HRD24 Check out these updates from our teams in Jerusalem and the Syria Regional Desk 👇 🔵 The Diakonia International Humanitarian Law Centre considers the widespread phenomenon of weaponizing housing, land, and property (HLP) in international and non-international armed conflict (IAC-NIAC) as an urgent priority that requires enhanced enforcement of international humanitarian law (IHL). This video outlines important rules and the inclusive application of IHL: https://lnkd.in/dV72U_dt To read more, check out the legal paper that produced by our Syria Regional Desk, available in both Arabic and English languages: https://lnkd.in/eJCgMpqe This publication is funded by ECHO (European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations). 🔵 From our Jerusalem Desk, we share this important statement - This Human Rights Day, the Diakonia International Humanitarian Law Centre calls upon States to ensure that civil society watchdogs can continue to document violations of international law in Palestine and Israel. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/dWNAZRff