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IHL Conference: Protection of Vulnerable Persons – Ottawa 2017

INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW CONFERENCE:

PROTECTION OF VULNERABLE PERSONS UNDER INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW: CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS FOR INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS AND

HEALTHCARE WORKERS

Human Rights Research and Education Centre, University of Ottawa

Ottawa, Ontario

January 25, 2017

EXTERNAL REPORT

Prepared By

Olivia Hamilton

Provincial IHL Coordinator

Canadian Red Cross, Ontario


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Table of Contents

Background ........................................................................................................................................ 3

Objective ............................................................................................................................................ 3

Summary ............................................................................................................................................. 3

Annex 1 – Event Poster ....................................................................................................................... 5

Annex 2 – Agenda ............................................................................................................................... 6

Annex 3 – Speaker Biographies .......................................................................................................... 8

Annex 4 – Photos .............................................................................................................................. 12


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Background

This conference was the second half-day IHL Conference in Ottawa and was coordinated by

the International Humanitarian Law Unit of the Canadian Red Cross in Ontario through it’s partnership

with the Human Rights, Research and Education Centre (HRREC) at the University of Ottawa. This

event was further made possible thanks to the contributions of Global Affairs Canada through its

Strategic Partnership with the Canadian Red Cross.

The organizing committee was supported by the work of the International Humanitarian Law

Working Group for Ottawa (IHL WG – OTT), who assisted with the pre-conference planning which

included thematic research and reading list development, developing moderated questions as well as

event promotions, registration, and photography.

Objective

The objective of the conference was not only to educate the public and bring awareness to the

discussion surrounding IHL and the protection of vulnerable persons in times of armed conflict, but

also to engage academics and students alike in discussions on the application of IHL and the role of

the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement in promoting and safe-guarding these laws.

This conference was attended by 70 professionals and students including students of law and

international relations, lawyers, professors, humanitarian field staff and Global Affairs Canada staff.

Summary

The conference was opened by John Packer, Director, Human Rights Research and

Education Centre, University of Ottawa. Professor Packer welcomed everyone and provided opening

remarks to the conference followed by Catherine Gribbin, Senior Legal Advisor, IHL, for the Canadian

Red Cross, who provided an introductory overview of International Humanitarian Law as a base for

further discussions throughout the afternoon. This concluded the first portion of the conference prior to

the two panel discussions.

The first panel, titled “Healthcare in Danger”, and moderator, Ms. Julia Sanchez, CEO of the

Canadian Council for International Cooperation, were introduced by Professor Packer while the panel

members were introduced by Ms. Sanchez herself. The first speaker was Dr. Jason Nickerson,

Humanitarian Affairs Advisor for Doctors Without Borders (MSF), who presented on “Protection of

Healthcare in an Emergency Context” which provided an overview of the work done by MSF, the

threats to medical personnel and consequences to access to medical treatment in emergency

settings. This presentation was followed by Dr. Haytham Qosa, Health and Recovery Manager,

Canadian Red Cross, who spoke about his experience in the field through a series of photos, bringing

images to the work that is done and the realities on the ground amidst protracted crises, in his

presentation entitled “Protection of Healthcare: Field Experience in a Fragile and Conflict Affected


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Context”. Ms. Sharonya Sekhar, Policy Advisor, Canadian Red Cross, was the final speaker on panel

one and delivered an “Overview of the Policy Recommendations of the Healthcare in Danger

Initiative”. This took the discussion from an impression of the current situation to initiatives that are

and should be taking place to improve what is presently occurring in the field and to reduce the

violations of IHL. At the conclusion of this panel, the moderator opened the floor for a question-and-

answer period.

During a break for coffee/tea, a video produced by the International Committee of the Red

Cross (ICRC) was shown in the background which summarized the Healthcare In Danger Initiative

about which Ms. Sekhar spoke, while others reflected on the information presented up to that point

and used the time to network with the speakers, organizing committee and one another before

reconvening for the second panel of the afternoon.

Professor Packer introduced the second panel on “Conflict-Induced Internally Displaced

Persons (IDPs)” along with the speakers. Mr. Robert Young, Consultant for the ICRC, was the first to

deliver remarks on the report which he had substantially drafted, entitled “Translating the Kampala

Convention into Practice”, which summarized the “...world’s first ever legally binding instrument on

IDPs...”1 and the report’s main recommendations for monitoring the implementation of this

Convention. The next speaker was Mr. Jean-Nicolas Beuze, United Nations High Commissioner for

Refugees (UNHCR) Representative in Canada, who spoke to the mandate of UNHCR and their work

in the protection of IDPs. The final speaker on panel two, Mr. Andrew Carswell, Senior Delegate to

Canada for the ICRC, spoke to the mandate of the ICRC and how it works to protect IDPs in conflict

affected areas. At the conclusion of the presentations, the moderator invited attendees to pose

questions to the panelists.

The conference closed with remarks from Ms. Svetlana Ageeva, IHL Advisor for Ontario,

Canadian Red Cross. Ms. Ageeva also took this time to thank the guest speakers, draw attention to

the Feedback Form in the attendee’s packages as well as invite everyone to an informal reception

that took place on the 5th floor of the Fauteux Building immediately after the conference. Many

attendees joined the reception where light refreshments were served, and took advantage of the time

to network and engage with the speakers, organizing committee and one another.

1 ICRC, “Translating the Kampala Convention into Practice: A stocktaking exercise”, 2016, pg. 9.


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Annex 1 – Event Poster


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Annex 2 – Agenda


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Annex 3 – Speaker Biographies


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Annex 4 – Photos

Professor John Packer, Director of the Human Rights Research and Education Centre, University of Ottawa,

delivering opening remarks.


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Ms. Catherine Gribbin, Senior Legal Advisor, IHL, Canadian Red Cross, delivering an Introduction to

International Humanitarian Law.

Ms. Julia Sanchez, CEO of the Canadian Council for International Cooperation, as Moderator for the Panel on

Healthcare in Danger


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Dr. Jason Nickerson, Humanitarian Affairs Advisor for Doctors Without Borders (MSF), delivering his

presentation on the Protection of Healthcare in an Emergency Context.

Dr. Haytham Qosa, Health and Recovery Manager, Canadian Red Cross, delivering his presentation on the

Protection of Healthcare: Field Experience in a Fragile and Conflict Affected Context.


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Ms. Sharonya Sekhar, Policy Advisor, Canadian Red Cross, delivering her presentation on an Overview of the

Policy Recommendations of the Healthcare in Danger Initiative.


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Professor John Packer, Director of the Human Rights Research and Education Centre, University of Ottawa, as

Moderator for the second panel on Conflict-Induced Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

Mr. Robert Young, Consultant for the International Committee of the Red Cross, delivering his presentation on

the Operationalisation of the Kampala Convention.


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\ Mr. Jean-Nicolas Beuze, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Representative in Canada,

delivering his remarks on UNHCR’s Mandate and the Protection of IDPs.

Mr. Andrew Carswell, Sr. Delegate to Canada for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC),

delivering his remarks on the ICRC and the Protection of IDPs.


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Reception

Reception Catering

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