As the G7 Summit gets underway, INTERSOS calls on the G7 leaders to put humanity and the right to live in dignity firmly and clearly back at the centre of the multilateral humanitarian agenda, to reaffirm their commitment to International Humanitarian Law and to increase predictable, flexible and unearmarked multi-year humanitarian funding.
During the C7 process, in which INTERSOS co-led, together with ICVA, the Working Group on Principled Humanitarian Assistance, civil society organisations have asked themselves, what has happened to the G7 resolve to protect humanity? The foundational humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, and independence are being questioned and put at risk, and the entire world is witnessing this.
As underlined by Miro Modrusan, Co-leader of the C7 Principled Humanitarian Assistance Working Group and Geneva Representative for INTERSOS, during the 2024 C7 Summit in Rome:
“It is astounding that 75 years after the Geneva conventions, we continue to see millions of civilians being forcibly displaced and killed in many thousands. Many are subjected to sexual and gender-based violence and starvation as a weapon of war, and denied access to health, water, sanitation and shelter. It is shocking that in the 21st century, we need to remember that all human life has universal value, regardless of nationality, ethnic background, gender, religion or other identity – and that all human lives are equal – wherever they may live.
As we know, International Humanitarian Law and humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence are at the very heart of Geneva conventions. Yet, we see double standards and unequal application and respect of IHL and other laws in different crises – by states, including G7 members, with geopolitical interests placed before people’s lives and dignity.”
Today, civilians are being killed, displaced, and driven to starvation while violence is carried out with impunity. Weapons supplied by states, including G7 members, are used indiscriminately, targeting civilians and humanitarian workers. Meanwhile, climate and political inaction exacerbates hunger and famine and forces people into desperate situations.
In this context, the lack of respect for humanitarian principles, the political instrumentalisation of humanitarian aid, non-compliance with international standards and laws, and the growing challenges faced by civil society organisations in providing effective assistance are critical issues. These concerns are at the heart of the Communiqué produced by the C7 Working Group on Principled Humanitarian Assistance and submitted to the G7 Leaders to urge the governments of the powerful Group of Seven to make decisions that improve the lives of people everywhere and promote a sustainable and secure environment for all.
INTERSOS calls on the G7 leaders to firmly and clearly place humanity and the right to a dignified life back at the centre of the multilateral humanitarian agenda, to reaffirm their commitment to International Humanitarian Law, and to increase predictable, flexible and unearmarked multi-year humanitarian funding. With millions of people around the world in need of urgent assistance, concrete action must be taken now.