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Bill to facilitate the ratification of the protocols to the Geneva Conventions enters Parliament
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+ AUSTRALIAN RED CROSS SOCIETY National Heodquorters
206 Clarendon Street East Melbourne Vic 3002 Australia
MEDIA RELEASE
Telex: RECRO AA34221 Telephone : (03)419 7533 Fox : (03)419 0404
Reference:
2 March 1989
BILL TO FACILITATE THE RATIFICATION OF THE PROTOCOLS TO THE GENEVA
CONVENTIONS ENTERS PARLIAMENT
The Australian Red Cross Society welcomes the introduction into Federal
Parliament of a Bill to enable Australia to ratify the 1977 Protocols Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 1949. The Bill, the Geneva Conventions Amendment Bill 1989, was introduced into the House of Representatives today.
The two Protocols, adopted by consensus in June 1977 at an historic
international Diplomatic Conference convened in Geneva from 1974 to 1977, bring international humanitarian law up to date with the methods of modern warfare by strengthening the protection of victims of armed conflict.
Ratification of the two Protocols worldwide has been extensively promoted by the International Committee of the Red Cross which sees wide acceptance
of the new laws by the international community as an on-going priority.
The Secretary-General of the Australian Red Cross Society, Mr. Alan
McLean, today warmly welcomed the introduction of the Bill.
"Australia clearly understands the importance and urgent need for the added protection that the Protocols provide victims of war. In essence,
the Protocols strengthen the laws contained in the Geneva Conventions of 1949 to ensure that the protection they give victims of conflict is in
line with modern methods of warfare.
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Protocol I applies specifically to international armed conflicts and steps up the protection and assistance to which wounded and sick civilians and
members of the armed forces are entitled. In particular, it introduces
into modern law specific rules governing the protection of civilian populations from the effects of hostilities, such as aerial bombing", explained Mr. McLean.
Protocol II considerably strengthens the protection of victims of non-international armed conflicts, such as civil wars.
"Protocol II lists fundamental guarantees for all persons who do not take a direct part in hostilities. Further, the Protocol bans attacks on the
civilian population and the use of such devices as starvation of civilians as a method of combat", he added.
"The overall objective of the two Protocols, and the Geneva Conventions
which they supplement, is the reduction of human suffering in times of war
and conflict. And we are not talking about some 'future' war. At this
very moment, there are at least 25 major armed conflicts existing in
various parts of the world - a frightening reality.
Ratification of the Protocols by the Australian Government is a major step towards bringing about a greater international acceptance of the need for
strong humanitarian laws that keep pace with the techniques of warfare in the 1980s and beyond", said Mr. McLean.
For Further Information: Mr. Alan McLean Tel: (03) 419 7533
