Leaders of a coalition of former Tuareg and Arab rebels in Mali have signed a pledge on the protection of civilians to medical facilities and medical facilities during the armed conflict of the COVID-19 crisis.
The two leaders coordinating Azawad Movements (CMA) written oath On the protection of health care in armed conflict At a closed-door ceremony hosted by the Swiss-based humanitarian organization Geneva Cole on Friday.
Geneva Coal General Director Alain Deretroz and two CMA Steering Committee members Atai Ag Mohamed and Mohamed Elmawrod Ramadan said: written oath, This is a milestone in the humanitarian dialogue between the Geneva Call and the CMA over the past four years, the humanitarian organization said in a statement.
“Despite the diversity of views on specific social issues, the CMA was able to agree on a document containing major themes of international humanitarian law,” said Ataye Ag Mohamed, with the coalition backing the Geneva Call. added that he had benefited from the expertise.
“The CMA, recognizing the importance of free movement of medical missions and access to population targets, and vice versa, can make only a small contribution to their protection and to the protection of humanitarian aid convoys in Mali, especially in the north. country,” said Mohammed.
“The signing of this pledge therefore marks a new phase of cooperation,” he said. “It is the responsibility of all of us to make it widely available in the field through awareness and training on this important topic.”
The CMA has committed to respecting international law that claims the protection of “medical personnel, facilities, medical transport, the wounded and sick” and to adhere to “principles of medical ethics.”
Geneva Call works to strengthen the protection of civilians during armed conflicts in dozens of countries. The issue of protecting health workers and facilities has become more pressing in conflicts and wars around the world, including in Syria and Ukraine.
Last year, the World Health Organization (WHO) said that since December 2017, more than 700 health workers and patients have been killed in attacks on health facilities in fragile settings in 17 countries affected by emergencies. and over 2,000 people were reported injured. Ethiopia, Yemen, Syria, Mozambique, Nigeria, Palestinian territories, Myanmar, Central African Republic.
This three-year analysis draws on the WHO’s Monitoring of Attacks on Health, which monitors attacks on health workers, patients, facilities, and medical transport, the resources they affect, and the direct impact on health workers. Based on system (SSA) data. Patience.
#mariCMA Tuareg-led rebels sign landmark peace deal, but country remains deeply divided http://t.co/QaxHtBCHwF pic.twitter.com/hi54mteV1A
— Stefan Simanowitz (@StefSimanowitz) June 20, 2015
Behind the Scenes of Civilian Protection
Geneva Coal has unusual powers to persuade armed groups and de facto That authorities respect and apply humanitarian norms and human rights.
These include the conduct of hostilities, child protection, education, food security, health care and cultural heritage, the prohibition of sexual and gender-based violence, forced displacement and humanitarian access.
Working in about 25 countries since 2000, the Geneva-based humanitarian organization also strengthens the protection of civilians by strengthening awareness of local civil society organizations and international humanitarian norms.
As a result, some armed groups have sought to develop their own oversight bodies on humanitarian norms and human rights, train senior leaders and field commanders to effectively implement these commitments, and strengthen the flow of humanitarian aid. has facilitated international access to
The CMA was established in 2014 as a coalition of political and military movements comprising MNLA/MAA/HCUA and is present in Timbuktu, Gao, Kidal, Taudeni and Menaka regions of Mali. In 2015, the CMA signed a peace and reconciliation agreement with the government of Mali in Algiers.
our team #mari We have just completed a workshop with several armed non-state actors to strengthen our cooperation with the Geneva Call and monitor compliance with the Geneva Call. #humanitarian The promise they made in Geneva # Conflict area. pic.twitter.com/92s3XNfuNd
— Geneva Call (@genevacall) October 28, 2021
A Four-Year Effort on Civilian Protection in Mali
Geneva Coal launched an initiative to improve civilian protection in Mali in 2018.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, Geneva Coal says it has worked in Mali to ensure access to healthcare and to strengthen respect for humanitarian standards and military codes of conduct.
Two armed groups in Mali have previously signed commitments with the Geneva-based organization to provide access to medical care and prevent further spread of the coronavirus.
Deretros said at the signing ceremony that attacks on hospitals, medical transport and health workers have increased in recent years in conflict areas, paralyzing emergency services and disrupting local populations. Because they are the most vulnerable.
“Unfortunately, Mali cannot escape this trend,” he said. “The deteriorating security situation is also reflected in people’s increasingly difficult access to health centers, and health workers are regularly targeted.”
He said the deed of commitment with the CMA was “of utmost importance” because it “represents an important step in the humanitarian dialogue initiated four years ago by members of the Geneva Call and the Azawad Movement Coordination”. .
On the part of the CMA, the Union has confirmed that it will improve the protection of civilians in general and respect and protect medical structures and medical missions in particular during armed conflict. Yes, it is the first document signed with the Geneva Call of Mali since it started working in Mali.
There is also a commitment on the part of Geneva Coal, Deretroz said. He will continue to work with the CMA to honor its commitments under a jointly developed implementation plan.
“We also hope that this signature will serve as an encouragement to all Malian stakeholders who have a role and responsibility to ensure the protection of civilians,” he said. “Geneva Coal remains concerned about the situation of those affected by this conflict.”
Image Credit: Geneva Cole.
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