The Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies, in collaboration with the Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) and the Diakonia IHL Centre, organized a public symposium on "The Need to Democratize IHL: Accountability and Monitoring Mechanisms," on Tuesday, 13 May 2025, in Doha. The Symposium brought together experts in International Humanitarian Law. The symposium featured contributions from Stephen Wilkinson, Director of IHL Centre, and Myra Saade, Manager and Senior Legal Expert for the Middle East at the IHL Centre. The event was moderated by Aiham Alsukhni, Head of International Relations and IHL at Qatar Red Crescent Society.
The symposium centered on two key themes: the democratization of international humanitarian law (IHL) and accountability. It highlighted the importance of integrated approaches to justice and legal accountability, with a particular focus on the Israeli violations of IHL amid the ongoing war on the Gaza Strip.
Mr Wilkinson reflected on his experience as a legal practitioner, expressing a deep sense of shame over the current state of international humanitarian law (IHL), which he noted is routinely violated without meaningful consequences. He emphasized the need for clear accountability mechanisms, drawing comparisons to national legal systems where violations are explicitly defined, and noncompliance is met with tangible penalties. While acknowledging that IHL has always faced challenges in implementation, he pointed out that certain aspects of the framework are still respected—raising the question of how it can be further strengthened. He criticized the prevalence of tokenism among political actors, many of whom possess the authority to enforce compliance yet fail to act. Crucially, he also highlighted the media's role in perpetuating double standards, contrasting the robust coverage and legal framing of the war in Ukraine with the relative disengagement surrounding Palestine. He concluded that while the IHL framework remains critical, the disparity in global responses underscores the urgent need for more diverse and equitable engagement.
In her presentation, Myra Saade discussed the pervasive political double standards that undermine the effectiveness of international humanitarian law (IHL), questioning its relevance in light of recent events. She raised the issue of accountability, noting how, in past conflicts like the Bosnian War, accountability came only years—or even decades—later. Ms Saade argued that the international community's failure to address these issues reveals a significant crack in its unity and resolve. She pointed to Russian and U.S. vetoes in the Security Council as examples of how political interests often prevent effective action. Additionally, she criticized the UN for being far more proactive in responding to other crises, while its response to Gaza has been notably less substantial. She concluded that the double standards in applying IHL are not merely tied to the nature of conflicts, but to the political interests at play where national relations often influence the enforcement of international law. This inconsistency in the application of accountability highlights the urgent need to properly implement IHL, ensuring that it applies to all states under the Geneva Conventions.
The session concluded with a call for concrete and effective measures to strengthen the implementation of international humanitarian law (IHL). This includes activating robust accountability and monitoring mechanisms, expanding inclusive participation in compliance efforts, and ensuring that violations are addressed through credible and impartial processes—free from selectivity or double standards. The ultimate aim is to uphold human dignity and reaffirm the vital importance of International Humanitarian Law amid the complexities of contemporary armed conflicts.