• Room XXIV, Palais des Nations
  • Geneva
  • Switzerland

Photo credit: European Commission DG ECHO, “Libya crisis 2012, September - October,” Flickr, CC BY-ND 2.0 license. 

2015 ECOSOC Humanitarian Affairs Segment

Counter-terrorism Measures and Principled Humanitarian Action

Time

Friday, 19 June 2015, 12:30 - 2:30 pm

Location

Room XXIV, Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland

Event

In some cases, counter-terrorism laws and policies can impede the delivery of life-saving humanitarian assistance. An enhanced dialogue between humanitarian organizations, Member States and the UN is needed to better reconcile the implementation of counter-terrorism measures with the ability of humanitarian organizations to respond to humanitarian needs in a timely and principled manner and in accordance with international humanitarian law.

Panel discussion and interactive dialogue focus points:

  • What are the main risks and challenges that humanitarian organizations face in delivering principled humanitarian assistance to people in need whilst also complying with applicable counter-terrorism measures?
  • What steps could be taken to mitigate the negative impact of counter-terrorism measures on principled humanitarian action; e.g., the inclusion of humanitarian exemptions in sanctions and counter-terrorism regimes?
  • What measures should the humanitarian community take to minimize risk, in particular with respect to aid manipulation and diversion?

Chair and Moderator:

  • Ms. Naz K. Modirzadeh, Director, Harvard Law School Program on International Law & Armed Conflict

Panel composition:

  • Ms. Kyung-wha Kang, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, OCHA
  • Dr. Jan Egeland, Secretary General, Norwegian Refugee Council
  • Dr. Hany El-Banna OBE, Chairman of the Muslim Charities Forum and Founder of Islamic Relief
  • Ms. Elizabeth Campbell, Senior Humanitarian Policy Advisor, US Department of State/Bureau of International Organization Affair

Lunch will be provided between 12:00 and 12:30 pm. No RSVP necessary.