During the visit, President Spoljaric and President Steinmeier exchanged views on the current state of respect for IHL in armed conflicts around the world, as well as the role that states can play in better protecting civilians, detainees and other persons affected by hostilities. They also discussed the Global IHL Initiative, a multi-state effort aimed at strengthening international humanitarian law at the highest political level and turning political commitment into concrete action on the battlefield.
“International humanitarian law is only as strong as leaders’ will to uphold it,” President Spoljaric said. “As civilians continue to bear the brunt in armed conflicts around the world, efforts made by heads of state and government to preserve the rules that limit the horrors of war are indispensable. Political will and support from the highest levels are needed to make IHL a priority and reduce the violations we see in more than 130 armed conflicts worldwide.”
Germany is one of 120 states that have officially joined the Global IHL Initiative, co-leading a workstream on National IHL Committees. Germany is invited to attend the High-Level Conference on Humanity in War in Jordan on 7 December at the highest level.
