Thread by @airwars

Day 3, the final day, of this round of crucial #EWIPA talks in Geneva.

This thread, updated by our team of
@Emily_4319 Megan Karlshoej-Pedersen, @sanjanamv
and @georgiaedwardz will keep you up to date on the final day of these crucial talks.

@Emily_4319 @sanjanamv @georgiaedwardz You can catch up on our Day 1 coverage here -

https://twitter.com/airwars/status/1511622688053379074

You can also catch up on our Day 2 coverage here -

https://twitter.com/airwars/status/1511982000252637188?s=20&t=WJIjzCzFHl-NbI3zdb7quQ

The delegate from Algeria addresses the room, saying, "We share the noble interest which drives this process which aims to strengthen the protection of civilians in armed conflicts."

"All references to non state armed groups should be limited to IHL and without prejudice to the principle of self determination and resistance against foreign aggression and occupation,” adds the Algerian delegate.

The chairperson makes concluding remarks : "We all see the need for a civilian centred approach, underpinned by a call for the full respect of IHL in armed conflict."

"We don’t want to overburden this text, which is a political text, with too much technical definition."

"Virtually every delegation spoke about the importance of setting out existing obligations and commitments under applicable international law, IHL and IHRL. But we’ve seen significant movements towards convergence in Section 2."

"The declaration should not set out to re-interpret applicable international law or create any new legal standards or obligations."

"It is essential that the text makes clear that IHL applies to all forms of armed conflict and does not imply a hierarchy of obligations for EWIPA."

On Section 3, the chairperson continues, "There are clearly differences of opinion but we have seen a very positive, solution oriented approach to the section."

He continues, "A simple restatement of IHL is not sufficient. The declaration must have commitments that are meaningful and must bring added value in terms of the protection of civilians."

"We are not simply working on a formula of words in a political declaration, we want to make a real difference and impact on the ground and foster behavioural change."

ICYMI - our own @Emily_4319 intervened again, stressing the need for an operative civilian harm tracking commitment.

https://twitter.com/airwars/status/1512423790235557891?s=20&t=fOTRx9c_k2SYhPp_zReNDQ

“Seven years in Yemen, eleven years in Syria and one month in Ukraine” has taught us the harms of explosive weapons use in urban areas - powerful conclusive statement from @alma_osta @HI_Advocacy

https://twitter.com/hi_advocacy/status/1512433175716417543

Other states are concluding their remarks - their reflections and what they want to see going going forward. “As we approach the finishing line” says the Austrian delegate, they “want states to carefully consider using #EWIPA” and the best approach will be “multilateral”.