Switzerland must take back the initiative in its diplomacy

Published on September 24, 2024 at 2:59 p.m. / Modified on September 24, 2024 at 4:50 p.m.

For the second time this year, Switzerland is in a hurry to organize a diplomatic conference that it did not initiate. The one at the Bürgenstock summit, in support of Ukraine, was convened at the request of Ukraine. Last week, it was the UN General Assembly that requested the depositary state to convene the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions. The aim is to address the situation of humanitarian law in the territories occupied by Israel and in particular in Gaza and the West Bank. It so happens that the states parties are called upon to participate in the 34th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, which will take place in Geneva from 28 to 31 October. It should not be difficult to gather the diplomats present to hold the meeting mandated by the UN on this occasion and thus to liquidate the agenda of this imposed exercise with as little fanfare as possible. It is important to take into account both the sensitivity required and the fact that there was no lengthy preliminary survey (the International Conference is a forum intended to facilitate dialogue between governments, national Red Cross societies, the International Federation of Red Cross Societies and the ICRC. It takes place every four years. It will address, among other things, the theme of urban warfare).

The episode, however, highlights the passivity of Swiss diplomacy, which has been shaken up once again. Respect for international humanitarian law should be at the heart of foreign policy. The war in the Middle East is by far not the only armed conflict in which this law is flouted. The protection of civilian populations is an issue that arises in many cases and should be the subject of constant diplomatic efforts. It must be adapted to changing circumstances, without limiting it to a particular theatre of operations. A first conference designed in this way took place in 1993, in the midst of the Yugoslav war. Why was there no follow-up, even though the states represented wanted it? Is the protection of civilian populations in Ukraine or Sudan less important than in Gaza or Jenin? A debate lasting a few hours in the Security Council, such as Switzerland launched in May 2023, when it chaired this body for the first time, cannot replace a proper conference. Switzerland at least has the merit of referring to international humanitarian law in most of its interventions in the Security Council: what will happen at the end of its mandate, at the end of the year?

Le Temps publishes columns, written by members of the editorial staff or external people, as well as opinions and platforms, proposed to personalities or requested by them. These texts reflect the point of view of their authors. They in no way represent the position of the media.

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