The Union Association for Human Rights, in collaboration with a consultative NGO and a number of international partners, organized an international symposium at the Palais des Nations in Geneva under the title “Role of Human Rights Mechanisms in the Context of Armed Conflict”, as part of the activities of the 55th session of the Human Rights Council, on March 26, 2024.

Venue and Date:

• Venue: Palais des Nations, Geneva.
• Date: March 26, 2024.
• Occasion: Side event on the sidelines of the 55th session of the UN Human Rights Council.

Speakers and Papers:

• Prof. Balakrishnan Rajagopal, UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Adequate Housing. Paper: The Impact of Armed Conflict on the Right to Housing and International Protection Mechanisms.
• Prof. Michael Lynk, UN Special Rapporteur for the Situation of Human Rights in the Palestinian Territory Occupied since 1967. Paper: The Role of UN Mechanisms in Protecting Civilians in Armed Conflicts.
• Prof. Willy Fautré, Founder and Director of Human Rights Without Frontiers. Paper: The Contribution of NGOs in Armed Conflicts.
• Dr. Fatima Al-Kaabi, Chairperson of the Union Association for Human Rights. Paper: Humanitarian Efforts and Post-Conflict Reconstruction – The UAE Experience as a Model.
• Dr. Ramon Rahangmetan, Co-founder of Circle of Sustainable Europe (CoSE). Paper: The Role of the International Community in Ending Conflicts and Promoting Sustainable Development.
• Dr. Aye Kari Soe, Founder and President of WBS Academy (Myanmar). Paper: Education as a Tool for Promoting Humanitarian Protection During Conflict.

Moderator:

Counselor Maryam Al-Ahmadi, Human Rights Consultant and Vice Chairperson of the Union Association for Human Rights, moderated the discussions and enriched the dialogue with focused interventions aimed at deepening the understanding of challenges and offering practical, actionable solutions.

Symposium Content:

The symposium explored the development of international protection mechanisms during armed conflicts and how to ensure compliance with international humanitarian law and uphold the rights of civilians, particularly in conflict zones. Participants highlighted the UAE’s humanitarian efforts, which amounted to more than $54 billion between 2014 and 2023, positioning the country among the world’s leading humanitarian donors relative to national income. The UAE’s effective support for UN Security Council Resolution 2720, aimed at facilitating aid delivery to Gaza, was also reviewed.

Significance of the Symposium:

This symposium stands out as one of the key international events spotlighting the crucial role of human rights mechanisms during times of war. It reaffirmed the importance of engaging civil society, states, and international organizations in crafting practical solutions to protect civilians and support humanitarian stability.

Key Recommendations:

• Strengthening international mechanisms for civilian protection during armed conflicts.
• Enforcing a global ban on military actions that endanger civilian lives.
• Ensuring immunity for humanitarian workers and securing safe humanitarian corridors.
• Enhancing accountability and ending impunity for crimes committed during conflicts.
• Involving NGOs in relief efforts and humanitarian coordination.
• Promoting education as a preventive tool and a pathway to community peacebuilding during conflicts.