Geneva Call
Encyclopedia
Geneva Call is an NGO based in Geneva
, Switzerland
that focuses on engaging armed non-state actors, such as guerrilla
groups and liberation movement
s, to respect international humanitarian law
and human rights law. Some members of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines
were concerned that the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction
, also known as the Ottawa Treaty, was only binding on states
, allowing armed non-state actors to continue using these weapons. Geneva Call was created in 1998, one year after the Ottawa Treaty was signed, to begin engaging non-state actors on the subject of landmines. However, Geneva Call took little action until March 2000, at a conference organized by the Swiss Campaign to Ban Landmines
called Engaging Non-State Actors in a Landmine Ban. This conference, the first of its kind, created a foundation for approaching non-state actors about a landmine ban, and served as the official launch of Geneva Call.
under Swiss law
. It is headed by a board
composed of local personalities with expertise in international law
or in the thematic issues that compose the mission of Geneva Call. One member of the board, Elisabeth Decrey-Warner, also serves as the president
of Geneva Call. The board is organizing an advisory council consisting of further experts in Geneva Call's work.
Geneva Call's headquarters staff is divided into three divisions: Administration & Management
, Administration Accounting, and Communications. Geneva Call's operations staff is divided into four geographical divisions (Africa
, Asia
, Europe
& Caucasus
, Middle East
& Latin America
) and two thematic divisions (gender issues
and children issues
).
of Geneva Canton
from 16 November 2000 to 1 November 2001. Mrs. Decrey-Warner is also a member of PeaceWomen Across the Globe
, an organization that was nominated for the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize
.
Armin Köhli, Geneva Call programme officer for the Middle East, is a double amputee
and accomplished cyclist, who placed fifth in the road race
event at the 2000 Paralympic Games and won two bronze medals, five silver medals, and two gold medals in the Swiss cycling championships between 1997 and 2003. Mr. Köhli uses cycling competitions as an opportunity to promote awareness for mine action.
Jannis Sakellariou, member of the Geneva Call board, was one of the German MEPs
from 1984 to 2009.
Eric Sottas, member of the Geneva Call board, is the director of the World Organisation Against Torture
.
Priscilla Hayner, member of the Geneva Call board, was one of the co-founders of the International Center for Transitional Justice
.
and international human rights law
.That mission is currently divided into three thematic issues: anti-personnel mines and armed non-state actors, gender and armed non-state actors, and children and armed non-state actors.
and mine risk education in the areas under their control; and to allow verification missions by Geneva Call.
Geneva Call held the First Meeting of Signatories to Geneva Call's Deed of Commitment in Geneva, Switzerland. Eleven signatory and ten non-signatory groups, including FARC, attended the meeting. Organizations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross
, the European Union
, the African Union
, and the International Campaign to Ban Landmines
also sent delegations. According to Geneva Call, the purposes of the meeting were to understand what is stopping non-signatory groups from adhering to the mine ban, identify implementation and monitoring challenges that signatory groups face, encourage sharing of best practices, explore the arguments for and against expanding Geneva Call's mandate, and analysing links between mine action and peace negotiations. Geneva Call held the Second Meeting of Signatories to Geneva Call's Deed of Commitment in June 2009. In addition to the topics discussed at the First Meeting of Signatories, delegations also discussed Geneva Call's plans to develop a Deed of Commitment on children in armed conflict
.
, gathered female members of non-state actors in Geneva in order to discuss the influence of women in applying international humanitarian and human rights law within non-state actors. In 2005, Geneva Call and the PSIO organized a second conference in Addis Ababa
to explore the same issue specifically within African non-state Actors. In the 2008 Geneva Call Annual Report, the organization began listing gender as one of the thematic issues composing its mission.
to a conference on engaging non-state actors to discuss their experiences in that field. In its 2005 Annual Report, Geneva Call announced that it was exploring the possibility of expanding their engagement of NSAs to other fields of international law, including the use of child soldiers. At the Second Meeting of Signatories in 2009, Geneva Call discussed the possibility of a Deed of Commitment engaging non-state actors to not recruit child soldiers.
, United Nations
Secretary General has mentioned Geneva Call and its work on multiple occasions, including a speech where he identified the Geneva Call Deed of Commitment as a "successful example" of special agreements with non-state actors.
The International Forum on Armed Groups and the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict, held by the Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers
in July 2006, recognized the Deed of Commitment as "one of the most innovative forms of persuading armed groups to make unilateral declarations to abide by IHL norms."
, Turkey accused Geneva Call of signing a Deed of Commitment with the Kurdistan Worker's Party without knowledge or consent from the Turkish government, describing the act as "inappropriate and unacceptable." Geneva Call claims that it informed Turkey of the engagement. Turkey refuses to allow Geneva Call into its borders to conduct verification missions with the Kurdistan Worker's Party.
The 2010 United States Supreme Court case Holder v. Humanitarian Law Project
ruled that organizations providing international law training to organizations recognized as terrorist groups by the Department of State are committing a crime. Because of Geneva Call's relationship with the Kurdistan Worker's Party, some of the organization's activities could be considered illegal under American law. Geneva Call President Elisabeth Decrey-Warner responded that "civilians caught in the middle of conflicts and hoping for peace will suffer from this decision. How can you start peace talks or negotiations if you don’t have the right to speak to both parties?"
Geneva
Geneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
that focuses on engaging armed non-state actors, such as guerrilla
Guerrilla warfare
Guerrilla warfare is a form of irregular warfare and refers to conflicts in which a small group of combatants including, but not limited to, armed civilians use military tactics, such as ambushes, sabotage, raids, the element of surprise, and extraordinary mobility to harass a larger and...
groups and liberation movement
Liberation movement
A liberation movement is an organization leading a rebellion against a colonial power or national government, often seeking independence based on a nationalist identity and an anti-imperialist outlook.-See also:*Anti-imperialism...
s, to respect international humanitarian law
International humanitarian law
International humanitarian law , often referred to as the laws of war, the laws and customs of war or the law of armed conflict, is the legal corpus that comprises "the Geneva Conventions and the Hague Conventions, as well as subsequent treaties, case law, and customary international law." It...
and human rights law. Some members of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines
International Campaign to Ban Landmines
The International Campaign to Ban Landmines is a coalition of non-governmental organizations working for a world free of anti-personnel landmines and cluster munitions, where mine and cluster munitions survivors see their rights respected and can lead fulfilling lives.The coalition was formed in...
were concerned that the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction
Ottawa Treaty
The Ottawa Treaty or the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, officially known as the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction, aims at eliminating anti-personnel landmines around the world. , there were 158...
, also known as the Ottawa Treaty, was only binding on states
Sovereign state
A sovereign state, or simply, state, is a state with a defined territory on which it exercises internal and external sovereignty, a permanent population, a government, and the capacity to enter into relations with other sovereign states. It is also normally understood to be a state which is neither...
, allowing armed non-state actors to continue using these weapons. Geneva Call was created in 1998, one year after the Ottawa Treaty was signed, to begin engaging non-state actors on the subject of landmines. However, Geneva Call took little action until March 2000, at a conference organized by the Swiss Campaign to Ban Landmines
Swiss Campaign to Ban Landmines
The Swiss Campaign to Ban Landmines is a member of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines . It is an umbrella organisation composed of about 50 Swiss NGOs gathered around the common objective of banning antipersonnel landmines and similar indiscriminate weapons...
called Engaging Non-State Actors in a Landmine Ban. This conference, the first of its kind, created a foundation for approaching non-state actors about a landmine ban, and served as the official launch of Geneva Call.
Organization
Geneva Call is a non-profit organizationNon-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
under Swiss law
Swiss law
Swiss law is a set of rules which constitutes the law in Switzerland.Swiss laws are identified by their number in the federal Systematische Rechtssammlung . The SR numbers are arranged topically and hierarchically.E.g...
. It is headed by a board
Board of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
composed of local personalities with expertise in international law
International law
Public international law concerns the structure and conduct of sovereign states; analogous entities, such as the Holy See; and intergovernmental organizations. To a lesser degree, international law also may affect multinational corporations and individuals, an impact increasingly evolving beyond...
or in the thematic issues that compose the mission of Geneva Call. One member of the board, Elisabeth Decrey-Warner, also serves as the president
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
of Geneva Call. The board is organizing an advisory council consisting of further experts in Geneva Call's work.
Geneva Call's headquarters staff is divided into three divisions: Administration & Management
Management
Management in all business and organizational activities is the act of getting people together to accomplish desired goals and objectives using available resources efficiently and effectively...
, Administration Accounting, and Communications. Geneva Call's operations staff is divided into four geographical divisions (Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
, Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
, Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
& Caucasus
Caucasus
The Caucasus, also Caucas or Caucasia , is a geopolitical region at the border of Europe and Asia, and situated between the Black and the Caspian sea...
, Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
& Latin America
Latin America
Latin America is a region of the Americas where Romance languages – particularly Spanish and Portuguese, and variably French – are primarily spoken. Latin America has an area of approximately 21,069,500 km² , almost 3.9% of the Earth's surface or 14.1% of its land surface area...
) and two thematic divisions (gender issues
Women's rights
Women's rights are entitlements and freedoms claimed for women and girls of all ages in many societies.In some places these rights are institutionalized or supported by law, local custom, and behaviour, whereas in others they may be ignored or suppressed...
and children issues
Children's rights
Children's rights are the human rights of children with particular attention to the rights of special protection and care afforded to the young, including their right to association with both biological parents, human identity as well as the basic needs for food, universal state-paid education,...
).
Notable Members
Elisabeth Decrey-Warner, President of Geneva Call, was president of the legislatureGrand Council of Geneva
The Grand Council of Geneva is the legislature of the canton of Geneva, in Switzerland. Geneva, styled as a 'Republic and Canton', has a unicameral legislature. The Grand Council has 100 seats, with members elected every four years...
of Geneva Canton
Canton of Geneva
The Republic and Canton of Geneva is the French speaking westernmost canton or state of Switzerland, surrounded on almost all sides by France. As is the case in several other Swiss cantons The Republic and Canton of Geneva is the French speaking westernmost canton or state of Switzerland,...
from 16 November 2000 to 1 November 2001. Mrs. Decrey-Warner is also a member of PeaceWomen Across the Globe
1000 PeaceWomen
1000 PeaceWomen, also known as PeaceWomen Across the Globe, is an organization based in Bern, Switzerland that aims to increase the visibility of women promoting peace all over the world...
, an organization that was nominated for the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize
Nobel Peace Prize
The Nobel Peace Prize is one of the five Nobel Prizes bequeathed by the Swedish industrialist and inventor Alfred Nobel.-Background:According to Nobel's will, the Peace Prize shall be awarded to the person who...
.
Armin Köhli, Geneva Call programme officer for the Middle East, is a double amputee
Amputation
Amputation is the removal of a body extremity by trauma, prolonged constriction, or surgery. As a surgical measure, it is used to control pain or a disease process in the affected limb, such as malignancy or gangrene. In some cases, it is carried out on individuals as a preventative surgery for...
and accomplished cyclist, who placed fifth in the road race
Road bicycle racing
Road bicycle racing is a bicycle racing sport held on roads, using racing bicycles. The term "road racing" is usually applied to events where competing riders start simultaneously with the winner being the first to the line at the end of the course .Historically, the most...
event at the 2000 Paralympic Games and won two bronze medals, five silver medals, and two gold medals in the Swiss cycling championships between 1997 and 2003. Mr. Köhli uses cycling competitions as an opportunity to promote awareness for mine action.
Jannis Sakellariou, member of the Geneva Call board, was one of the German MEPs
Member of the European Parliament
A Member of the European Parliament is a person who has been elected to the European Parliament. The name of MEPs differ in different languages, with terms such as europarliamentarian or eurodeputy being common in Romance language-speaking areas.When the European Parliament was first established,...
from 1984 to 2009.
Eric Sottas, member of the Geneva Call board, is the director of the World Organisation Against Torture
World Organisation Against Torture
The World Organisation Against Torture is the world’s largest coalition of non-governmental organisations fighting against arbitrary detention, torture, summary and extrajudicial executions, forced disappearances and other forms of violence...
.
Priscilla Hayner, member of the Geneva Call board, was one of the co-founders of the International Center for Transitional Justice
International Center for Transitional Justice
The International Center for Transitional Justice was founded in 2001 as a non-profit organization dedicated to pursuing accountability for mass atrocity and human rights abuse through transitional justice mechanisms.-Mission statement:...
.
Mission
Geneva Call has the goal of committing non-state actors to respect international humanitarian lawInternational humanitarian law
International humanitarian law , often referred to as the laws of war, the laws and customs of war or the law of armed conflict, is the legal corpus that comprises "the Geneva Conventions and the Hague Conventions, as well as subsequent treaties, case law, and customary international law." It...
and international human rights law
International human rights law
International human rights law refers to the body of international law designed to promote and protect human rights at the international, regional and domestic levels...
.That mission is currently divided into three thematic issues: anti-personnel mines and armed non-state actors, gender and armed non-state actors, and children and armed non-state actors.
Anti-Personnel Mines
The struggle against anti-personnel mines was the original focus of Geneva Call and continues to dominate the work of the NGO. Geneva Call developed the Deed of Commitment for Adherence to a Total Ban on Anti-Personnel Mines and for Cooperation in Mine Action, which engages non-state actors to ban the production, use, and transfer of landmines; to participate in mine clearanceDemining
Demining or mine clearance is the process of removing either land mines, or naval mines, from an area, while minesweeping describes the act of detecting of mines. There are two distinct types of mine detection and removal: military and humanitarian.Minesweepers use many tools in order to accomplish...
and mine risk education in the areas under their control; and to allow verification missions by Geneva Call.
Geneva Call held the First Meeting of Signatories to Geneva Call's Deed of Commitment in Geneva, Switzerland. Eleven signatory and ten non-signatory groups, including FARC, attended the meeting. Organizations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross
International Committee of the Red Cross
The International Committee of the Red Cross is a private humanitarian institution based in Geneva, Switzerland. States parties to the four Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their Additional Protocols of 1977 and 2005, have given the ICRC a mandate to protect the victims of international and...
, the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
, the African Union
African Union
The African Union is a union consisting of 54 African states. The only all-African state not in the AU is Morocco. Established on 9 July 2002, the AU was formed as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity...
, and the International Campaign to Ban Landmines
International Campaign to Ban Landmines
The International Campaign to Ban Landmines is a coalition of non-governmental organizations working for a world free of anti-personnel landmines and cluster munitions, where mine and cluster munitions survivors see their rights respected and can lead fulfilling lives.The coalition was formed in...
also sent delegations. According to Geneva Call, the purposes of the meeting were to understand what is stopping non-signatory groups from adhering to the mine ban, identify implementation and monitoring challenges that signatory groups face, encourage sharing of best practices, explore the arguments for and against expanding Geneva Call's mandate, and analysing links between mine action and peace negotiations. Geneva Call held the Second Meeting of Signatories to Geneva Call's Deed of Commitment in June 2009. In addition to the topics discussed at the First Meeting of Signatories, delegations also discussed Geneva Call's plans to develop a Deed of Commitment on children in armed conflict
Military use of children
The military use of children takes three distinct forms: children can take direct part in hostilities , or they can be used in support roles such as porters, spies, messengers, look outs, and sexual slaves; or they can be used for political advantage either as human shields or in...
.
Gender
In 2004 Geneva Call, with the help of the Program for the Study of International Organization(s) (PSIO)Graduate Institute of International Studies
The Graduate Institute of International Studies, best known as HEI , was founded in 1927 as one of the first institutions in the world dedicated to the study of international relations...
, gathered female members of non-state actors in Geneva in order to discuss the influence of women in applying international humanitarian and human rights law within non-state actors. In 2005, Geneva Call and the PSIO organized a second conference in Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa is the capital city of Ethiopia...
to explore the same issue specifically within African non-state Actors. In the 2008 Geneva Call Annual Report, the organization began listing gender as one of the thematic issues composing its mission.
Children
Geneva Call has been involved with child soldiers as early as 2001, when it invited the Coalition to Stop the Use of Child SoldiersCoalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers
The Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers is a UK-based non-governmental organization that was formed to prevent the recruitment and exploitation of children in warfare and to ensure their reintegration into larger society by means of research, advocacy, and capacity building...
to a conference on engaging non-state actors to discuss their experiences in that field. In its 2005 Annual Report, Geneva Call announced that it was exploring the possibility of expanding their engagement of NSAs to other fields of international law, including the use of child soldiers. At the Second Meeting of Signatories in 2009, Geneva Call discussed the possibility of a Deed of Commitment engaging non-state actors to not recruit child soldiers.
Success
List of former or current non-state actors who have signed the Deed of Commitment| Name of NSA | Location | Date of Adherence | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arakan Rohingya National Organization | Myanmar Myanmar Burma , officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar , is a country in Southeast Asia. Burma is bordered by China on the northeast, Laos on the east, Thailand on the southeast, Bangladesh on the west, India on the northwest, the Bay of Bengal to the southwest, and the Andaman Sea on the south.... |
17 October 2003 | |
| Banaadir Banaadir Banaadir is a region in southeastern Somalia.-Overview:The Somali term Banaadir derives from the original Persian word بندر bandar, meaning "port" or "harbour"... |
Somalia Somalia Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory... |
November 2002 | |
| Chin National Front/Chin National Army | Myanmar Myanmar Burma , officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar , is a country in Southeast Asia. Burma is bordered by China on the northeast, Laos on the east, Thailand on the southeast, Bangladesh on the west, India on the northwest, the Bay of Bengal to the southwest, and the Andaman Sea on the south.... |
31 July 2006 | |
| Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan | Iran Iran Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia... |
4 December 2007 | |
| Free Life Party of Kurdistan | Iran Iran Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia... |
15 April 2010 | |
| Hiran Patriotic Alliance/Somalia Reconciliation and Restoration Council Somalia Reconciliation and Restoration Council The Somalia Reconciliation and Restoration Council was a political movement, as well as an armed militia, founded by Hussein Mohamed Farrah Aidid, son of the late warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid... |
Somalia Somalia Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory... |
November 2002 | |
| Jowhar Jowhar Jowhar is the capital town of the Shabeellaha Dhexe region of Somalia . Along with Baidoa, it used to form the joint administrative capital of the Transitional Federal Government, which captured it from the Islamic Courts Union.... Administration |
Somalia Somalia Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory... |
November 2002 | |
| Juba Valley Alliance Juba Valley Alliance The Juba Valley Alliance is a political faction of the Somali Civil War. It was the primary opponent of the Somali Patriotic Movement and the Somali Reconciliation and Restoration Council vying for the control of Kismayo and the Juba River valley, the area known as Jubaland.Following the... |
Somalia Somalia Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory... |
January 2005 | |
| Komala Party of Iranian Kurdistan | Iran Iran Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia... |
16 June 2009 | |
| Komala Komala Komala may refer to :* A. P. Komala was a South Indian playback singer.* Komala Saovamala was the Princess of Siam.* Komala's Restaurants is a Singapore-based restaurant-chain serving Indian vegetarian cuisine.* Komalah is a Kurdish political party in Iran.... Party of Kurdistan |
Iran Iran Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia... |
7 April 2009 | |
| Kuki Kuki people The Kukis are an ethnic group that spread throughout the Northeastern region of India, Northwest Burma and Chittagong Hill Tracts in Bangladesh. In Northeast India they are present in all the states except Arunachal Pradesh. This dispersal across international borders is mainly attributed to the... National Organisation |
India India India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world... |
9 August 2006 | |
| Kurdistan Democratic Party - Iran | Iran Iran Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia... |
13 April 2010 | |
| Kurdistan Organization of the Communist Party of Iran | Iran Iran Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia... |
7 April 2009 | |
| Kurdistan Regional Government Kurdistan Regional Government The Kurdistan Regional Government , , is the official ruling body of the predominantly Kurds-populated Kurdistan Region in Northern Iraq... -Erbil (led by the Kurdistan Democratic Party) |
Iraq Iraq Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert.... |
11 August 2002 | |
| Kurdistan Regional Government-Sulaymaniyah Sulaymaniyah Sulaymaniyah is a city in Iraqi Kurdistan, Iraq. It is the capital of Sulaymaniyah Governorate. Sulaymaniyah is surrounded by the Azmar Range, Goizja Range and the Qaiwan Range in the north east, Baranan Mountain in the south and the Tasluje Hills in the west. The city has a semi-arid climate with... (led by the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan Patriotic Union of Kurdistan The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan is a Kurdish political party in Iraqi Kurdistan. The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan was founded on June 1, 1975, by coordinations between Jalal Talabani and Nawshirwan Mustafa... ) |
Iraq Iraq Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert.... |
10 August 2002 | |
| Kurdistan Workers’ Party | Turkey Turkey Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe... |
24 June 2006 | |
| Lahu Lahu The Lahu are an ethnic group of Southeast Asia and China.They are one of the 56 ethnic groups officially recognized by the People's Republic of China, where about 450,000 live in Yunnan province. An estimated 150,000 live in Burma. In Thailand, Lahu are one of the six main hill tribes; their... Democratic Front |
Myanmar Myanmar Burma , officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar , is a country in Southeast Asia. Burma is bordered by China on the northeast, Laos on the east, Thailand on the southeast, Bangladesh on the west, India on the northwest, the Bay of Bengal to the southwest, and the Andaman Sea on the south.... |
16 April 2007 | |
| Moro Islamic Liberation Front Moro Islamic Liberation Front The Moro Islamic Liberation Front is an Islamist group located in the southern Philippines. It is one of two Islamic militant groups, the other being the Abu Sayyaf, that are fighting against Government of the Philippines... |
Philippines Philippines The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam... |
7 April 2002 | |
| National Council for the Defense of Democracy – Forces for the Defense of Democracy | Burundi Burundi Burundi , officially the Republic of Burundi , is a landlocked country in the Great Lakes region of Eastern Africa bordered by Rwanda to the north, Tanzania to the east and south, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west. Its capital is Bujumbura... |
15 December 2003 | |
| National Socialist Council of Nagaland National Socialist Council of Nagaland The Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland is a Naga nationalist militant group operating in Northeast India. Its aim is to establish a Christian socialist state based on Maoism in the areas inhabited by the Naga people in Northeast India and Burma.-Formation:The National Socialist Council of... |
India India India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world... |
17 October 2003 | Isak-Muivah faction |
| National United Party of Arakan Rakhine State Rakhine State is a Burmese state. Situated on the western coast, it is bordered by Chin State in the north, Magway Region, Bago Region and Ayeyarwady Region in the east, the Bay of Bengal to the west, and the Chittagong Division of Bangladesh to the northwest. It is located approximately between... /Arakan Army |
Myanmar Myanmar Burma , officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar , is a country in Southeast Asia. Burma is bordered by China on the northeast, Laos on the east, Thailand on the southeast, Bangladesh on the west, India on the northwest, the Bay of Bengal to the southwest, and the Andaman Sea on the south.... |
17 October 2003 | |
| Palaung State Liberation Front | Myanmar Myanmar Burma , officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar , is a country in Southeast Asia. Burma is bordered by China on the northeast, Laos on the east, Thailand on the southeast, Bangladesh on the west, India on the northwest, the Bay of Bengal to the southwest, and the Andaman Sea on the south.... |
16 April 2007 | |
| Pa-O Pa-O The Pa-Oh form an ethnic group in Burma, comprising approximately 600,000. The Pa-Oh form the second largest ethnic group in Shan State, and are classified as part of the "Shan National Race" by the government, although they are believed to be of Tibeto-Burman stock, and are ethnolinguistically... People’s Liberation Organization/Army |
Myanmar Myanmar Burma , officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar , is a country in Southeast Asia. Burma is bordered by China on the northeast, Laos on the east, Thailand on the southeast, Bangladesh on the west, India on the northwest, the Bay of Bengal to the southwest, and the Andaman Sea on the south.... |
16 April 2007 | |
| Popular Front for the Liberation of Saguia el-Hamra and Rio de Oro Polisario Front The POLISARIO, Polisario Front, or Frente Polisario, from the Spanish abbreviation of Frente Popular de Liberación de Saguía el Hamra y Río de Oro is a Sahrawi rebel national liberation movement working for the independence of Western Sahara from Morocco... |
Western Sahara Western Sahara Western Sahara is a disputed territory in North Africa, bordered by Morocco to the north, Algeria to the northeast, Mauritania to the east and south, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. Its surface area amounts to . It is one of the most sparsely populated territories in the world, mainly... |
3 November 2005 | |
| Puntland Puntland Puntland , officially the Puntland State of Somalia , is a region in northeastern Somalia, centered on Garowe in the Nugaal province. Its leaders declared the territory an autonomous state in 1998.... State of Somalia |
Somalia Somalia Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory... |
11 November 2002 | |
| Rahanweyn Resistance Army Rahanweyn Resistance Army The Rahanweyn Resistance Army , also known as the Reewin Resistance Army, is an autonomist militant group operating in the two southwestern regions of Somalia, Bay and Bakool. It was the first Reewin armed faction to emerge during the Somali civil war... |
Somalia Somalia Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory... |
11 November 2002 | factions of Col. Hassan Mohamed Nur “Shatigudud” and Sheikh Adan “Madobe” |
| Revolutionary Workers’ Party of Mindanao Mindanao Mindanao is the second largest and easternmost island in the Philippines. It is also the name of one of the three island groups in the country, which consists of the island of Mindanao and smaller surrounding islands. The other two are Luzon and the Visayas. The island of Mindanao is called The... |
Philippines Philippines The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam... |
10 September 2002 | |
| Revolutionary Workers’ Party of the Philippines/Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade Revolutionary Workers' Party (Philippines) The Revolutionary Workers' Party of the Philippines, also known as the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas is a communist party separated from the Communist Party of the Philippines during the Second Great Rectification Movement... |
Philippines Philippines The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam... |
11 September 2003 | |
| Somali African Muki Organization/SRRC/Nakuru | Somalia Somalia Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory... |
11 November 2002 | |
| Somali National Front Somali National Front The Somali National Front was a political revolutionary movement and armed militia in Somalia.-History:Initially made up of loyalists to former President of Somalia Siad Barre and the remnants of the Somali National Army forces after his ouster from office, the SNF's intent and goal was to... /SRRC |
Somalia Somalia Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory... |
11 November 2002 | |
| Somali Patriotic Movement Somali Patriotic Movement The Somali Patriotic Movement is a political party and paramilitary organization in Somalia, and a key faction in the Somali Civil War. Commanded by Aden Abdullahi Nur Gabyow, it was based in the southwestern area of the country, and had considerable influence in the leaderless country... |
Somalia Somalia Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory... |
November 2002 | faction of General Aden Abdullahi Nur “Gabyow” |
| Southern Somali National Movement/BIREM | Somalia Somalia Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory... |
11 November 2002 | |
| Southern Somali National Movement/SNA/SRRC | Somalia Somalia Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory... |
11 November 2002 | |
| Sudan People's Liberation Army/Movement | Sudan Sudan Sudan , officially the Republic of the Sudan , is a country in North Africa, sometimes considered part of the Middle East politically. It is bordered by Egypt to the north, the Red Sea to the northeast, Eritrea and Ethiopia to the east, South Sudan to the south, the Central African Republic to the... |
4 October 2001 | |
| Transitional National Government Transitional National Government The Transitional National Government of Somalia was established in April–May 2000 at the Somalia National Peace Conference held in Djibouti.... |
Somalia Somalia Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory... |
11 November 2002 | |
| United Somali Congress United Somali Congress The United Somali Congress is one of the major political and paramilitary organizations of Somalia. Formed in 1988, it played a key role in the ouster of the government of Siad Barre, and became a major target of the so-called Operation Restore Hope campaign in 1993... /Somali National Alliance/SRRC |
Somalia Somalia Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory... |
11 November 2002 | |
| United Somali Congress United Somali Congress The United Somali Congress is one of the major political and paramilitary organizations of Somalia. Formed in 1988, it played a key role in the ouster of the government of Siad Barre, and became a major target of the so-called Operation Restore Hope campaign in 1993... /North Mogadishu/SRRC |
Somalia Somalia Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory... |
11 November 2002 | |
| United Somali Congress United Somali Congress The United Somali Congress is one of the major political and paramilitary organizations of Somalia. Formed in 1988, it played a key role in the ouster of the government of Siad Barre, and became a major target of the so-called Operation Restore Hope campaign in 1993... /SNA/SRRC/Nakuru |
Somalia Somalia Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory... |
11 November 2002 | |
| United Somali Congress United Somali Congress The United Somali Congress is one of the major political and paramilitary organizations of Somalia. Formed in 1988, it played a key role in the ouster of the government of Siad Barre, and became a major target of the so-called Operation Restore Hope campaign in 1993... /Somali Salvation Army |
Somalia Somalia Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory... |
11 November 2002 | |
| Zomi Zomi Zomi is the name of a major tribe found in various parts of South and South East Asia. The term Zomi meaning, 'Zo People' is derived from the generic name 'Zo', the progenitor of the Zomi. They are found in northwestern Myanmar, northeastern India and Bangladesh. Anthropologists classify them as... Reunification Organization |
India India India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world... |
20 February 2009 |
Praise
Ban Ki-MoonBan Ki-moon
Ban Ki-moon is the eighth and current Secretary-General of the United Nations, after succeeding Kofi Annan in 2007. Before going on to be Secretary-General, Ban was a career diplomat in South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in the United Nations. He entered diplomatic service the year he...
, United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Secretary General has mentioned Geneva Call and its work on multiple occasions, including a speech where he identified the Geneva Call Deed of Commitment as a "successful example" of special agreements with non-state actors.
The International Forum on Armed Groups and the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict, held by the Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers
Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers
The Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers is a UK-based non-governmental organization that was formed to prevent the recruitment and exploitation of children in warfare and to ensure their reintegration into larger society by means of research, advocacy, and capacity building...
in July 2006, recognized the Deed of Commitment as "one of the most innovative forms of persuading armed groups to make unilateral declarations to abide by IHL norms."
Criticism and Controversy
At the Seventh Meeting of States Parties to the Ottawa TreatyOttawa Treaty
The Ottawa Treaty or the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, officially known as the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction, aims at eliminating anti-personnel landmines around the world. , there were 158...
, Turkey accused Geneva Call of signing a Deed of Commitment with the Kurdistan Worker's Party without knowledge or consent from the Turkish government, describing the act as "inappropriate and unacceptable." Geneva Call claims that it informed Turkey of the engagement. Turkey refuses to allow Geneva Call into its borders to conduct verification missions with the Kurdistan Worker's Party.
The 2010 United States Supreme Court case Holder v. Humanitarian Law Project
Holder v. Humanitarian Law Project
Holder v. Humanitarian Law Project, 561 U. S. ____ , was a case decided in June 2010 by the United States Supreme Court regarding the USA PATRIOT Act which prohibits material support to groups designated as terrorists...
ruled that organizations providing international law training to organizations recognized as terrorist groups by the Department of State are committing a crime. Because of Geneva Call's relationship with the Kurdistan Worker's Party, some of the organization's activities could be considered illegal under American law. Geneva Call President Elisabeth Decrey-Warner responded that "civilians caught in the middle of conflicts and hoping for peace will suffer from this decision. How can you start peace talks or negotiations if you don’t have the right to speak to both parties?"