Geneva Convention Conference on Palestinian Territories Cancelled Amid Disagreement, Says Amnesty International

Amnesty International criticized the cancellation of the Conference of High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions, which was to address the application of the Fourth Geneva Convention in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT). Switzerland canceled the conference, scheduled following a UN General Assembly resolution, due to disagreements among participating parties. Agnès Callamard, Amnesty International’s Secretary General, stated that the cancellation disregards international law and betrays victims of violations in the OPT and Israel. She added that states prioritized political convenience over legal obligations to protect civilians in wartime, especially concerning ongoing violations and the situation in Gaza. Callamard also noted the draft declaration failed to acknowledge the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion on the illegality of Israel’s occupation. She urged states to suspend arms transfers to conflict parties, ensure accountability for violations, and support international investigations.