Improving compliance with international humanitarian law

The Government and National Society of New Zealand jointly pledge:

• to continue to cooperate closely to promote respect for and implementation of international humanitarian law (IHL), including dissemination of its principles.

Action plan

Proposed evaluation criteria:

• Promotion of IHL and humanitarian principles at relevant international meetings and fora, internationally and domestically;
• Ongoing support to the National IHL Committee;
• Ongoing cooperation on protection of the Red Cross Emblem;
• Ongoing provision of world-class training on the law of armed conflict for New Zealand military personnel
• Ongoing promotion of adherence to and implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty, especially in the Pacific, and working for the respect for IHL regarding the use of explosive weapons in densely populated areas.
• New Zealand continuing to consider acceding to the Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, in accordance with its domestic processes, prior to New Zealand’s third Universal Periodic Review
• New Zealand’s continued  engagement in initiatives intended to strengthen IHL protecting persons deprived of their liberty, and to strengthen compliance with IHL
• Further professional development of New Zealand Government staff and New Zealand Red Cross staff, volunteers and members on IHL, the emblem and the fundamental principles; and
• New Zealand Government and New Zealand Red Cross continuing to work on dissemination of IHL and humanitarian principles through innovative approaches, particularly for youth, and to specialist audiences such as tertiary students, journalists, members of parliament and government representatives.