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Sudan accedes to the 1977 Protocols additional to the Geneva Conventions

13-09-2006 News Release 06/103

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) welcomes the accession by the Republic of the Sudan to 1977 Additional Protocol I on 7 March 2006 and to Additional Protocol II on 13 July 2006. Both instruments come into force six months after accession.

The two Protocols, which supplement the four Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, reaffirm and develop international humanitarian law in several different areas. Protocol I, which applies to international armed conflicts, imposes constraints on the way military operations may be conducted. Protocol II, which applies to non-international armed conflicts, considerably strengthens protection for persons not, or no longer, taking part in hostilities and contains provisions designed to protect civilians from the dangers of military operations. It stipulates, in particular, that such persons must be treated humanely in all circumstances. Protocol II also establishes important rules governing the treatment of detainees and judicial guarantees applicable to the prosecution and punishment of criminal offences related to armed conflict.

In cooperation with the Sudanese National Commission for International Humanitarian Law, the ICRC will continue to provide its expertise with a view to ensuring that the rules of humanitarian law are duly incorporated into domestic legislation and it will pursue its efforts to encourage the government of Sudan to ensure full respect for humanitarian law throughout the country.

Sudan's accession brings to 166 the number of States party to Additional Protocol I and to 162 those party to Additional Protocol II.

 For further information, please contact:  

 Jessica Barry, ICRC Khartoum, tel: ++249 91 217 0576  

 Ian Piper, ICRC Geneva, tel: ++41 22 730 2063 or ++41 79 217 32 16