The International Federation very much appreciates the continued dedication of the ICRC to task of promoting respect for international law.
It is no longer a task which can be accomplished by dissemination to Governments and regular armed forces. The world we live in today sees a great many actors and non states actors.
The International Federation also very much appreciates the ICRC for managing to find new processes and ways of improving dissemination, and ensuring that IHL is known and respected by all actors involved in conflicts.
We are proud of the work of National Societies members in promoting and disseminating IHL as evidenced by the many statements in this debate, and are inspired by the description of its work given by the Australian Red Cross.
We also accept the special challenges which come with such as providing assistance to the victims of anti-personnel mines, and supporting civilians in times of conflict and the immigrant in difficult situations.
This year, the tenth anniversary of the Mine Ban Treaty, is especially relevant in that regard. The Federation attended and spoke at that Eight Meeting of States Parties to that. Treaty in Jordan last week and we are pleased to see that the conference achieved a result which reaffirms the value of the Treaty.
It now has 156 States Parties, and we look forward to working with them all, through our member RC & RC Societies, to achieve its objectives.
Mr Chairman, The Federation actively supports the draft resolution which has been brought to our International Conference on IHL.
It is very important to underline and re-emphasise the laws that govern conflict, and to reassert the primacy of this law. The draft resolution contains many important provisions, but I will restrict the Federation's detailed comments to one section of particular relevance to the daily work of National Societies.
The section on National Implementation emphasises the need of States to adopt all the legislative, regulatory and practical measures necessary for the use and protection of the distinctive emblems.
This is not a new requirement, but it is one which is now seriously challenged by a sharp recent growth of abuse of the emblems in the internet.
We are now seeing, unfortunately, many cases of abuse and even fraud through the World Wide Web after natural disasters and other events.
It is tragic to see how quickly unscrupulous people can move to take advantage of the web to launch their fraudulent messages at unsuspecting people, and steal their money.
The Federation has developed advice for NSs aimed at limiting the damage these abuses can do, but this is type of case where national Governments must also act, and act quickly.
It is also important that Governments should act in conjunction with other Governments. Many of the frauds we have seen are spread across several countries, and it is important that action is well coordinated if the abuse is to be stopped before innocent people lose their money with consequent damage to reputation of the emblems and even their protective and indicative value.
I mention this today as we are, with ICRC, developing tools for National Societies which we hope will help address this phenomenon.
Some have already contacted the relevant authorities in their countries to stop cases of abuse, but we can be sure that the issue will remain with us in the future.
We ask all Governments to be receptive to the representations of their National Society colleagues when they become necessary.
And to ensure that the necessary measures are in place so that action can be taken quickly when cases arise.