WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Todd Young (R-IN), both members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and co-chairs of the Task Force on Humanitarian Access led by The Center for Strategic & International Studies' (CSIS), introduced a resolution recognizing the 70th Anniversary of the four Geneva Conventions of 1949, which form the basis of international humanitarian law and regulate the conduct of armed conflict, seek to limit its consequences, and protect people not taking part in the conflict. The resolution encourages United States leadership in promoting greater respect for international humanitarian law in current conflicts. The resolution declares: "Upon the 70th anniversary of the four Geneva Conventions of 1949, respect for international humanitarian law (IHL) remains critical to upholding humanity in war, protecting people affected by war, and preventing suffering. "The Executive Branch and Congress must ensure that the United States Government, as the largest donor of lifesaving humanitarian aid -- does not employ counterterrorism measures that jeopardize vulnerable people's access to resources critical to their survival; and upholds the longstanding United States commitment to supporting principled humanitarian action." The resolution adds: "The United States must continue to be a global leader in promoting and ensuring compliance with IHL by upholding high standards of conduct within the United States Armed Forces, taking stronger measures to ensure compliance with IHL by United States security partners, holding perpetrators of violations of IHL accountable, and seeking compliance with IHL by all parties to armed conflict." Full text of the resolution is here.
