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Diakonia, Support to International Humanitarian Law Program in the oPt

Project completed
Diakonia' International Humanitarian Law Programme in the oPt, 2013, © Diakonia

The promotion of International humanitarian law (IHL) is at the core of Switzerland’s engagement in the occupied Palestinian territory. With its support to the Diakonia IHL resource Centre, Switzerland, together with other donors, will strengthen the capacities to monitor IHL violations and to utilize the various mechanisms of accountability and compliance, including the third-state responsibility.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Palestinian Authority
Human rights
Conflict & fragility
Governance
Conflict prevention and transformation
Rule of Law - Democracy - Human rights
Human rights (incl. Women's rights)
Conflict prevention
Legal and judicial development
01.01.2012 - 31.12.2015
 CHF  2’800’000
The project in brief
Background

Forty five years of Israeli military occupation of the Palestinian territory has created a complex situation of repeated and increased violations of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and International Human Rights Law (IHRL). Breaches of IHL and IHRL have significant negative impacts on the development of the Palestinian territory, its institutions and society and therefore jeopardize its prospects of state-building. The long-term occupation, coupled with a de facto status of impunity has led to an international fatigue when it comes to altering the cause of events.
Objectives

Living conditions of Palestinian women and men are improved as parties to the conflict, state actors falling under third-state responsibility, humanitarian actors, UN Agencies, private-sector actors and NGOs are increasingly made accountable for their responsibilities towards protected populations.
Target groups

Third-state representatives, diplomatic missions, the EU, UN agencies present in oPt/ Israel, European likeminded INGOs working in Europe, media/journalists as well as potential investors in Israel & the oPt
Medium-term outcomes

  • Improved practice and knowledge of IHL, including compliance, obligations and violations among key stakeholders by mainstreaming IHL/IHRL and humanitarian principles into their policies and operations, leading to a safer living environment for protected populations.
  • Improved quality of monitoring of IHL violations and knowledge about the use of various mechanisms of accountability and compliance, leading to a more effective use of redress mechanisms.

    		•
    Results

    Results from previous phases:  

  • A consensual decision was reached among 4 donors to support IHL resource centre based on its 3 years strategic plan;
  • Provided research, legal analysis and practical advice on a number of pertinent IHL violations to donor community in oPt;
  • Increased no of IHL briefings to diplomatic missions, EU, UN agencies, INGO and NGO community;
  • Improved quality of monitoring of IHL violations by strategically building the capacities of 4 key Palestinian and Israeli HR organizations.


    		•
    Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
    Credit area Development cooperation
    Project partners Contract partner
    International or foreign NGO
    • Other international or foreign NGO North
    • Diakonia


    Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    2’800’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    2’642’042
    Project phases Phase 3 01.01.2017 - 30.11.2021   (Completed) Phase 2 01.01.2016 - 31.12.2016   (Completed)

    Phase 1 01.01.2012 - 31.12.2015   (Completed)

    • Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY
      GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY
      GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY
      Sub-Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation
      Human rights
      Human rights
      Civilian peace-building, conflict prevention and resolution
      Legal and judicial development
      Cross-cutting topics The project takes account of democratisation, good governance and human rights as cross-cutting themes.
      Type of support Official development assistance (ODA)
      Type of collaboration Bilateral cooperation
      Finance type Aid grant
      Aid Type Project and programme contribution
      Tied/untied aid Untied aid
      Project number

      7F08414

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    Last update 14.04.2021