AG/RES. 1408 (XXVI-O/96)

RESPECT FOR INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW

(Resolution adopted at the eighth plenary session, held on June 7, 1996)

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY,

RECALLING its resolutions AG/RES. 1270 (XXIV-O/94) and AG/RES. 1335 (XXV-O/95) on respect for international humanitarian law;

EMPHASIZING the work of the International Committee of the Red Cross in the system of implementation and the process of delivery of international humanitarian assistance;

REAFFIRMING the results of the Twenty-sixth International Conference of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent, held in Geneva from December 3 to 7, 1995, on war victims and international humanitarian law, humanitarian values, and responses to humanitarian crises;

NOTING the observations of the Intergovernmental Group of Experts on the specific, practical recommendations aimed at promoting faithful observance of international humanitarian law;

CONCERNED over the growing number of armed conflicts in various parts of the world;

BEARING IN MIND the obligation of the parties to the 1949 Geneva Conventions and the 1977 Additional Protocols thereto to observe and enforce international humanitarian law, especially during situations of armed conflict;

DEEPLY CONCERNED over the serious and numerous violations of international humanitarian law that still are being committed in many parts of the world, particularly to the detriment of children, women, and displaced persons; and

PARTICULARLY ALARMED at the indiscriminate effects of land mines on the civilian population and on humanitarian action,

RESOLVES:

1. To urge once again member states that have not yet done so to become parties to the 1980 Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May Be Deemed to Be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects, and further to urge those countries that deem it desirable to consider the possibility of taking steps internally to prohibit the manufacture, sale, and exportation of antipersonnel mines.

2. To urge the member states to implement the recommendations adopted by the Twenty-sixth International Conference of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent that they study the possibility of ratifying the instruments of international humanitarian law and adopt national enforcement measures in order to prevent violations of international humanitarian law.

3. To urge the member states to promote awareness of international humanitarian law, especially in the realm of the armed forces.

4. To urge all member states to observe and fully enforce the 1949 Geneva Conventions and the customary principles and norms contained in the 1977 Additional Protocols thereto.

5. To urge the International Committee of the Red Cross to continue to provide technical assistance to the member states of the Organization.