About Us

Most armed conflicts today take place within States and are waged by at least one NSA fighting State forces and/or other NSAs. This means that efforts to protect civilians in situations of armed conflict must address not only the behaviour of States, but also that of NSAs. From the legal perspective, however, international law remains primarily State-centric.

IHL and IHRL are the main bodies of international law providing for the protection of civilians in situations of armed conflict. IHL equally binds both State and non-State parties to a conflict, which is considered a significant development in that it addresses NSAs directly. IHRL has traditionally only created obligations on States, although there is currently a movement towards making IHRL standards applicable to NSAs.

Yet, while NSAs play an increased role in contemporary warfare and are responsible for many abuses, the State-centric nature of international law still poses challenges for addressing the behaviour of NSAs. First, the mechanisms to enforce both IHL and IHRL remain mostly focused on States. Second, NSAs cannot negotiate or become parties to international treaties, and there is no consensus on whether they can contribute to the formation of international customary law. Therefore there is little opportunity for NSAs to express their adherence to IHL and IHRL norms. NSAs may not feel bound by rules they have not been involved in making, nor are allowed to sign on to.

Geneva Call was launched in March 2000 as a neutral and impartial humanitarian organization dedicated to engaging NSAs towards compliance with IHL and IHRL norms, consistent with common Article 3 of the . The organization focuses on NSAs involved in situations of armed conflict that operate outside effective State control and are primarily motivated by political goals. These include armed movements, de facto authorities, and non-internationally recognized States.

Geneva Call engages NSAs in a constructive dialogue aimed at persuading them to change their behaviour and respect specific humanitarian norms, starting with a total ban on anti-personnel (AP) mines. The organisation originated in 2000 from the International Campaign to Ban Landmines following the international community’s realisation that the landmine problem would not be effectively addressed unless NSAs were included in the solution. The is an internationally recognized mechanism through which 41 NSAs have already adhered to a total ban on the use of AP mines and to cooperate in humanitarian mine action activities. Geneva Call plays an important role in monitoring and supporting the implementation of these commitments. The organization is now expanding its advocacy work with NSAs to the protection of women and children in situations of armed conflict.

As a pioneer and leader in the humanitarian engagement of NSAs, Geneva Call has won increasing international recognition and support for its efforts and achievements, notably from States Parties to the , the United Nations, the European Union, and the African Union.