The Strasbourg Centre (France Regional Politics) is deeply alarmed regarding recent military actions resulting in civilian deaths and echoes President Emmanuel Macron’s pleas about the grave implications of any military action against civilian populations. We pose some important questions regarding the legality and ethics of this action and demand relevant higher authorities and international organizations take swift and immediate action and accountability against strikes violating international humanitarian law.
Civilians Must be Prioritized
President Macron has indicated the limits of military action and strikes with civilian fatalities are not only violations of the basic human rights of the community but could destabilize an entire region as well. The Strasbourg Centre supports this position and protects civilians as a sacred principle of conflict resolution, international law, and accountability.
Urgent Call for Accountability
We call on the following organizations and bodies to examine, hold accountable, and enforce accountability in keeping with international norms:
- Council of Europe: Given that it is the premier human rights institution in Europe and is in Strasbourg, is time to strengthen monitoring and reporting on violations directly impacting civilians and assist member states to enforce human rights protections;
- European Court of Human Rights: Given that is it concern with determining cases recognizing unlawful attacks on civilians and adjudicating on to provide justice to victims,
- European Parliament: To utilize its legislative and oversight powers and demands levels of transparency and accountability from involved parties and support any humanitarian initiatives,
- United Nations Human Rights Council: To conduct impartial investigations and recommends sanctions or action taken against violators;
- International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC): To recommit to humanitarian protections and promotes adherence to the Geneva Convention(s) by all states and parties;
- The French government (President Emmanuel Macron): To mobilize diplomatic appeals across the EU and elsewhere with which to prevent harm to civilians; and promote a cease-fire and end to the violence.
Strasbourg as a place where Europe asserts its commitment to democracy and human rights
Strasbourg is a place of European reaffirmation of commitment to democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, as it is the homeland of the European Parliament and the Council of Europe, and a place where all stakeholders are asked to stand up for this by ensuring military objectives and the deployment of military assets respect civilian lives and articulate zero tolerance for violations.
The Strasbourg Centre repositions its solidarity to each and every civilian affected by armed conflict. It is of utmost importance to reaffirm that military objectives can never justify the loss of innocent lives. We ask all relevant international bodies and governments to take binding and appropriate action to maintain international humanitarian law, protect civilians and promote permanent peace.
