From 20-23 July, representatives from more than 35 Commonwealth Member States and National Societies gathered in Canberra for the Fourth Commonwealth Red Cross Red Crescent Conference on International Humanitarian Law, co-hosted by the ICRC, Australian Government and Australian Red Cross. Participants hailed from a diversity of countries ranging from those currently experiencing conflict or violence, including Nigeria and Pakistan, through to small Pacific Island nations such as Samoa and the Solomon Islands. Across the four days participants shared experiences and perspectives on current issues related to IHL and humanitarian action, with specific sessions on the changing nature of conflict, addressing sexual violence, ensuring respect for health care, protection of cultural property, and domestic implementation of IHL, among many others. During the conference the ICRC Australia Mission spoke with a number of the participants for a deeper insight into some of the issues covered at this year's event.
Key themes of the Commonwealth Conference 2015
Protecting cultural property in armed conflict
Innovation in IHL dissemination
IHL and humanitarian issues in the Pacific
Addressing sexual violence in armed conflict
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