Asia
General Situation
Much of Asia is beset by non-international armed conflicts. Numerous armed non-State actors (NSAs) operate in Afghanistan, Burma/Myanmar, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Thailand. Most of the conflicts are a result of ethnic, and to a lesser extent, ideological struggles. In some cases, peace processes have been launched to try to resolve conflicts and address contentious issues. The recent peace agreements in Nepal and Aceh, Indonesia have been perhaps the most successful of these efforts.
As with most armed conflicts, there are numerous instances of international humanitarian law and human rights law violations, resulting in a high cost to the civilian populations. Some of the violations in the region involve the participation of children in conflict and the deployment of anti-personnel (AP) mines. Additionally, civilians, particularly women, experience sexual violence and disproportionate insecurity. This often motivates women to join armed forces and groups. As a result, Asia has some of the highest proportions of female combatants.
Geneva Call has been active in Asia since its launch in 2000. The organization currently works in Burma/Myanmar, Northeast India and the Philippines. The successful peace processes in Nepal and Aceh, Indonesia, and the military defeat of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Sri Lanka led to Geneva Call ending its programmes in those countries, As a result of Geneva Call’s work on AP mines, eleven NSAs have committed to the Deed of Commitment banning AP mines; as a consequence, AP mine use has decreased, stockpiles are being destroyed, and new mine action activities are being launched, including by civil society organizations previously not engaged on the issue.
In addition to continuing its engagement of NSAs in the region on the AP mine issue, Asia has also been a focus for preliminary field assessments and consultations towards Geneva Call’s expansion into the thematic areas of the protection women and children in the midst of conflict. |
