Promotion and dissemination of international humanitarian law

The active UK National IHL Committee meets twice a year and considers inter alia UK promotion and dissemination of IHL.

We encourage all states to respect IHL, to adopt relevant legislation and act in accordance to their obligations under it. Where they are willing but unable to do so, the UK considers how it can assist, for example through partnership programmes to build knowledge of IHL and more accountable defence and security forces and equitable justice services The many permanent military training teams run by MOD in Africa and across the world all deliver courses containing IHL subject matter. We are also encouraging more States to adopt national legislation to enforce IHL and working to ensure that non-state armed groups understand and comply with their obligations in conflict situations.

The UK is actively supporting the state-led, ICRC-facilitated and Government of Switzerland-facilitated, process to strengthen respect for IHL, which includes consideration of the potential features and functions of a Forum of States. We hope that this process will lead to practical mechanisms that will make an effective contribution to addressing the challenges of respect for IHL in all forms of armed conflict. With the support of the British Red Cross, the UK is exploring ways to enhance knowledge and strengthen the application of IHL, and to reinforce dialogue on IHL issues. This includes follow-up to the 2016 World Humanitarian Summit, efforts to strengthen IHL protecting persons deprived of their liberty, promotion of the establishment of weapons reviews, and encouraging discussion and effective implementation of IHL within the Commonwealth.

Landmines, explosive remnants, and improvised explosive devices are weapons that pose grave danger to civilian populations as well as peacekeepers and humanitarian personnel who work to protect them.  The United Kingdom is proud of its longstanding role in tackling the use of these weapons and their effects.  We are proud to be a State Party to the Ottawa Convention, the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons, and the Convention on Cluster Munitions. And we support the universalisation of these treaties.

The United Kingdom has had a historic role in tackling the indiscriminate and lethal legacy of landmines and UK organisations are at the forefront of global efforts. On 4 April, the DFID Secretary of State announced a £100 million UK Aid package over the next three years.  It will clear and make safe 150 square kilometres of land, help 800,000 people live their lives free from the threat of mines, and ensure that every year, over 100,000 people – especially children – fully understand the dangers posed by landmines and how to avoid them.