The declaration was made at a high-level leaders round table entitled ‘Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity’, during the ongoing World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul, Turkey.
Issoufou, who opined that the best way to protect civilians was to ratify humanitarian conventions, said his government would ensure the militants are tried by the ICC, Punch reports.
“This is something that all countries should do.
“Political, military and administrative authorities must be aware of pledges made by Governments and of the sanctions provided for under those conventions.”
The Niger leader added that his country faced multiple humanitarian issues, including population displacement due to terrorist attacks that have ravaged the region.
While voicing his support for Issoufou, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Ján Eliasson said: “International humanitarian law and human rights are under assault around the world.
“Lives are being shattered by sexual violence. Indeed, more than 150 years of achievements to protect the most vulnerable during conflict were unravelling. The Geneva Conventions seem to have been forgotten,” he said.
He called on UN member states to promote respect for international law, while reiterating the body’s commitment to speaking out against abuses, working to ensure that perpetrators were held to account and victims compensated the world over.
Along with Nigeria and Cameroon, Niger has been a hotbed for terrorist activities in recent times, with the activities of Jihadists, Boko Haram, causing a humanitarian crisis in the region.
0 comments:
Post a Comment