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Today, I conclude my tenure as the @ICRC's Director of International Law, Policy and Humanitarian Diplomacy and embark on a precious professional sabbatical.
Beginning with the below farewell message, you can now follow me on @NilsMelzer.
Thank you, farewell & au revoir! 🙏⬇️
Thank you, farewell & au revoir!
As I conclude my work at the @ICRC’s Directorate & wind down for a long awaited sabbatical, I am deeply grateful:
➡️for my extraordinary journey with the #RedCross
➡️for the inspiring companionship of our colleagues
➡️and for unforgettable moments shared with the men, women and children we serve.
In parting, I wish to dedicate a piano inspiration to the memory of those who courageously served our mission and never returned - making the ultimate sacrifice in the name of humanity: “I gave it all...”
Thank you, farewell & au revoir!
(⬇️audio on...🔊🎶)
Nils Melzer retweeted
The 34th Intl’ Conference of the Red Cross & Red Crescent concluded on Oct 31. Amid global divides, this platform keeps focus on humanitarian action and saving lives. Best wishes from #Beijing to all delegates as we work to alleviate suffering. #HumanityFirst #RCRC24
Nils Melzer retweeted
The Red Cross and Red Crescent International Conference has concluded today with the endorsement of five key resolutions, aimed at advancing humanitarian solutions to global challenges.
The resolutions are:
ALT The resolutions aim to guide global humanitarian action and address emerging challenges, including: Building a universal culture of compliance with international humanitarian law Protecting civilians from the humanitarian impact of digital technologies in armed conflict Strengthening disaster risk governance Enabling local leadership and strengthening resilience in humanitarian action Protecting people from climate-related humanitarian impacts
Nils Melzer retweeted
@PKraehenbuehl, ICRC's director general speaks on the importance of compliance with international humanitarian law, the lack of respect across conflicts today & the catastrophic conditions for civilians 👇🏽 via @bbcworldservice
#RCRC24
Nils Melzer retweeted
The @ICRC’s #IHL Challenges Report: An absolute key-document at the #RCRC24 International Conference.
As ever, the single most important challenge to #IHL remains insufficient compliance by the parties to armed conflicts.
Full text: 🔗➡️ bit.ly/IHL-Report
Summary: 🧵⬇️
The @ICRC 2024 #IHL Challenges Report is out:
rcrcconference.org/app/uploa…
At every Red Cross/Red Crescent Conference we present our views on the most pressing humanitarian and legal issues.
Join us in building a culture of compliance for IHL.
🧵on some key issues
The @ICRC’s #IHL Challenges Report: An absolute key-document at the #RCRC24 International Conference.
As ever, the single most important challenge to #IHL remains insufficient compliance by the parties to armed conflicts.
Full text: 🔗➡️ bit.ly/IHL-Report
Summary: 🧵⬇️
The @ICRC 2024 #IHL Challenges Report is out:
rcrcconference.org/app/uploa…
At every Red Cross/Red Crescent Conference we present our views on the most pressing humanitarian and legal issues.
Join us in building a culture of compliance for IHL.
🧵on some key issues
Nils Melzer retweeted
Staying neutral allows us to do our job. It is not indifference: it is a deliberate choice.
Our mission comes from the Geneva Conventions, universal laws that preserve a degree of humanity, even in war. Today, 161 years since our founding, neutrality remains as crucial as ever.
Hands down the most important recurring forum in human history:
➡️All components of the world’s largest humanitarian movement
➡️All 196 States party to #GenevaConventions
➡️Guided by #Humanity #Neutrality & #Impartiality
➡️Focus on what unites rather than divides humanity
#RCRC24
The 34th Int. Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent is a unique forum that unites governments, humanitarian organizations, & the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement, fostering dialogue on complex humanitarian issues. #RCRC24
@PKraehenbuehl, ICRC's director general shares 👇🏽
Glad to see our Resolution on #PrincipledHumanitarianAction adopted!
Serving @ICRC 15yrs, from delegate to director, the #FundamentalPrinciples were my guiding star, offering orientation, confidence & identity in an increasingly chaotic & violent world:➡️bit.ly/3UsgQJT
Today at the Red Cross Red Crescent Council of Delegates, with @ifrc, we presented a resolution calling for respect and support for principled humanitarian action. #RCRC24
@PKraehenbuehl, our director general shares 👇🏽:
Rest in peace Christophe - your voice will be missed!
Christophe Deloire, Director General of Reporters Without Borders, died on Saturday 8 June at the age of 53. He was a tireless defender of free, independent and pluralistic journalism on every continent.
rsf.org/en/christophe-deloir…
Nils Melzer retweeted
#Gaza Together with 11 Red Cross National Societies, we are combining efforts to open a field hospital in #Rafah to help address overwhelming medical needs.
This 60-bed hospital complements & supports the essential work of @PalestineRCS.
News Release 👉🏽 ms.spr.ly/6017YXrJ7
Nils Melzer retweeted
Florence Nightingale changed nursing forever. On International Nurses Day, we share the story of the precursor of modern nursing and who influenced the creation of the Red Cross.
Nurses play a crucial role within their communities, & they are protected by the Geneva Conventions.
Nils Melzer retweeted
On this World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day, we honor our staff and volunteers' service, bravery, and sacrifice.
We will continue to work together to keep humanity alive.
Read more in our joint statement 👉🏽 ms.spr.ly/6015YVHyT
ALT On May 8th we commemorate the World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day, and we pay tribute to the millions of volunteers and staff working alongside people in need of protection, assistance, healthcare, social aid, and solidarity. We remember our colleagues who have lost their lives while supporting our humanitarian mission and extend our deepest condolences to their loved ones. Today we express our immense gratitude to all Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers and staff for their unwavering dedication.
Nils Melzer retweeted
Today is the World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day.
As a movement, we give all we have in a world inundated by armed conflicts, disasters, and unprecedented challenges.
Our emblems, more than symbols, stand for shields safeguarding humanitarian workers and affected communities👇🏽
Nils Melzer retweeted
Thank you to the co-hosts, sponsors, and key speakers of the 6th Commonwealth Conference on IHL in Pretoria 15-19 April 2024: @NMelzerICRC, @alvinbotes, @molefi_taka, @commonwealthsec, @BritishRedCross, and @theDIRCO. Discussions highlighted that humanity comes first!
It’s with a heavy heart we share that two of our drivers were killed by gunmen today in South Darfur, Sudan. Three other ICRC staff were injured.
➡️ Humanitarian workers are #NotATarget.
icrc.org/en/document/sudan-t…
Nils Melzer retweeted
Largest ever meeting on autonomous weapons systems, convened by @MFA_Austria.
140 states, 900 delegates.
Humanity at the crossroads, let us not miss the right turn.
We cannot delegate decisions of life and death over human beings to algorithms.
AWS2024.at
#AWS #IHL
Nils Melzer retweeted
Today at #AWS2024Vienna, @ICRCPresident underscored the urgent need for a new legally binding instrument to
❌prohibit #autonomousweapons that pose the gravest risks for #IHL compliance & our values: unpredictable AWS and antipersonnel AWS.
⚠️place strict constraints on others.
ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric:
We can’t ignore anymore allegations of use of autonomous weapon systems in today’s conflicts.
There can be no respect for #IHL without human control.
Let’s urgently uphold ethical imperatives & avoid moral failure with a binding treaty.
Nils Melzer retweeted
1/6 IHL has a long history of regulating the respect for and protection of the dead in armed conflicts.
Respecting the dignity of the dead is a fundamental tenet of #IHL.
Read more on the fundamental rules 👇
icrc.org/en/document/humanit…
🧵
Nils Melzer retweeted
When heavy explosive weapons hit cities, the visible horrors are just the beginning.
Over and over again, in armed conflicts worldwide, we see ongoing suffering.
Let's call for all States to sign the EWIPA Political Declaration. #EWIPAOslo