Order of Malta: Attacks on civilians and aid workers are crimes against humanity

By Lisa Zengarini

As heads of state, government officials and policymakers gathered in Munich on Friday for the 60th Security Conference to discuss the current pressing international security concerns and boost cooperation, the  Sovereign Military Order of Malta reiterated the urgent call for observance of International Humanitarian Law which is increasingly under threat amidst a turbulent period of geopolitical conflicts.

The protection of civilians in conflicts needs to be addressed urgently

The protection of civilians and humanitarians in conflicts needs to be addressed urgently as shown by the course of the wars in Ukraine and more recently, and even more dramatically in the Gaza Strip, said the Chancellor of the Catholic religious order Riccardo Paternò di Montecupo at the opening a high-level side-event organized on Friday in the Bavarian capital on the protection of humanitarian workers in conflict zones. 

“Deliberate attacks against healthcare facilities and humanitarian workers are crimes against humanity in every respect," he reiterated.    

The event organized by the order of Malta with the support of the Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC), was aimed to shed light on the current humanitarian emergencies underway in many parts of the world that are displacing millions of people daily and threatening the lives of many humanitarian workers. Civilian buildings, including homes, hospitals, schools, and places of worship are targeted by indiscriminate military attacks. Basic energy infrastructures are purportedly damaged or destroyed with the aim of depriving civilians of basic social services. Children, women, elderly people and other vulnerable social groups are victims of deliberate killings, not even as “collateral damage” as in previous conflicts.

The focus of the side-event was on how faith-based and international humanitarian actors can together be more effective in their call for observance of international humanitarian principles and laws.

Ukraine and Gaza are not the only humanitarian crises

In his introductory remarks, Paternò di Montecupo noted that Ukraine and the Gaza Strip are only some of the most visible  crises victimizing civilians and aid workers, which are also ongoing in countries like  Sudan, South Sudan, Syria, Haiti and Myanmar, and many other conflict-ridden regions in the world.

Joining forces with humanitarian agencies  

Recalling the role played by the Order of Malta as an advocate for protecting civilians in conflict zones regardless of their origin, gender, or creed, the Chancellor stressed the importance for humanitarian organizations worldwide, whether faith-based or NGOs, to strengthen their engagement and joint advocacy for the respect of International Humanitarian Law . “The Order of Malta believes that the humanitarian organizations should gather around a basic objective: uphold the International Humanitarian Law and bring forward a coordinated activity of advocacy with Governments and major international fora, such as the G7 and the G20”, he said.

Among the speakers at the conference were former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, UNHCR High Commissioner, Filippo Grandi, the International Organization for Migration (IOM)  Executive Director, Amy Pope, the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, Nobel Prize Laureate 1997, Jody Williams and the Prime Minister of Lebanon Najib Mikati.

Humanitarian workers targeted in conflicts

Mr. Ban Ki-moon drew attention on the dramatic figures regarding humanitarian workers killed in recent years in conflict areas, including the Gaza Strip where at least 167 aid workers have died in the last five months.

The executive director of the IOM, Amy Pope, and the president of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, both denounced the increasing risks faced every day by humanitarian workers - who are increasingly targeted by hate speech and direct attacks - and by the millions of people on the move who, as stated by the UNHCR Secretary-General Filippo Grandi, are the direct result of the growing violation of International Humanitarian Law.

At least 114 million displaced people  in the world

"In a world where respect for international law decreases, the number of displaced persons increases,” he noted, saying that there are currently at least  114 million displaced people in the world,". "Meeting the fundamental needs of all" was also the heartfelt appeal of Jody Williams, Nobel Peace Prize laureate 1997.