Russia has opposed a proposal to annually report on how signatories to the Geneva Conventions comply with the rules of warfare, the BBC's Russian service reported Friday.
The proposal — which was announced at a meeting of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Geneva — was rejected by several countries.
The opponents of the initiative expressed concern that such annual reports would resemble the reports of the Human Rights Council, which, they believe, have become too politicized, BBC reported, citing The Associated Foreign Press.
According to Peter Maurer, the president of the ICRC, the rules of warfare — requiring humane treatment of civilians, prisoners and the wounded — are often violated. “By refusing to support this initiative, the states have missed an opportunity to help protect millions of people,” Maurer said.
While countries are not obliged to follow the resolutions adopted by the Red Cross, the ICRC ensures respect for the Geneva Conventions, which were adopted in 1949 to protect victims of war.
