The Pacific is facing severe effects of climate change and these are only likely to intensify, a round-table on International Humanitarian Law (IHL) has been told.
Councilors lining up with PNG's Western Highlands Provincial Administrator, Joseph Neng and ICRC Mt Hagen Head of Office, Kakhaber Khasaia, in front of the sign with the 15 tribal rules on it. Photo: ICRC PNG
When international law addresses a particular issue of concern, the intention is to have some kind of real impact on that issue, said Fijian lawyer Ana Tuiketei-Bolabiu.
In the case of armed conflict and the environment, the aim is to improve protection of the natural environment from the negative effects of war.
In her keynote address to the virtual event, Tuiketei-Bolabiu examined the nuts and bolts of effective implementation of humanitarian law in the Pacific.
The International Criminal Court counsel in the Hague also identified corresponding ingredients for success.
She said the region is facing severe effects of climate change and these are only likely to intensify.
Where changing climate and conflict meet, affected populations are particularly vulnerable, Tuiketei-Bolabiu said.
"As world leaders gather in Glasgow for the COP26 summit, the aim is to also protect the natural environment from the negative effects of war.
"A lot of people don't realise that the humanitarian crisis that we are facing, whether it's forced because of conflict, because of violence, is also becoming a climate crisis.
"And the relationship between COP26, the relationship between conflict and violence, humanitarian - and what it means when all of these three combine."
Fiji’s Ana Tuiketei Bolabiu making history as the first Pacific lawyer on the working roster of the International Criminal Court at the Hague Photo: RNZ Pacific / Lisa Williams
Tuiketei-Bolabiu said humanitarian law, also known as the law of armed conflict, is relevant for all nations - even those in peaceful regions like the Pacific.
Governments need to ensure laws are in place and are well understood by officials and the public, she added.
She said these laws also aim to protect the safety and dignity of people exposed to conflicts such as in the Solomon Islands and Bougainville.
The Papua New Guinea Highlands continue to see tribal violence and there's unrest between West Papuan freedom fighters and the Indonesian military.
"This third round-table discussed the limit and effects of armed conflict and its relevance in the Pacific region. It also talks about the historic path of the conflicts and its relevance.
"This year's program also discussed the climate and the conflict in the environment. It also talks about giving effects to the ban of nuclear weapons with regards to the Treaty and Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
"What happens during conflicts or disaster management. Issues to do with rights, rights of the victims, rights of donors and outlooks on what they have.
"Just being vulnerable because of our geography, the socio-economic, the political systems that we have and how conflicts make institutions that give essential services, even infrastructure and governance - it causes a lot of instability and affects people's strengthening themselves in terms of resilience."
She said efforts must be made to reduce human suffering in these areas.
Tuiketei-Bolabiu said Pacific islanders continue to experience chronic disease and contamination of traditional lands due to nuclear testing in the region.
West Papuan students apprehended by police, Waena, Jayapura, 23 September. Photo: Supplied
Protection of people key - Red Cross
It is during peace time that states need to ensure laws are in place and that they are well understood by officials and the public, the International Committee of the Red Cross said.
Its regional legal adviser in the Pacific, Clementine Rendle, said as the only regular forum dedicated to general discussions on the law of armed conflict in the Pacific, "this roundtable offers the chance for Pacific governments to contribute to the ongoing discussions on IHL.
"The Roundtable is an opportunity to strengthen the community of experts working to promote and implement IHL across the Pacific. Giving effect to IHL is a continuous process and there is always more to be done. Representatives will share their achievements as well as their lessons learned and will identify regional priorities.
"Every country in the world, including in the Pacific, is bound by international humanitarian law. These laws aim to protect the safety and dignity of people exposed to conflict and to reduce human suffering. They are about our common shared humanity."
Both the Solomon Islands and Bougainville have seen conflict in recent past, and the PNG Highlands continues to see tribal violence, Rendle said.
More than 315 nuclear test explosions were concluded in the Pacific and Pacific Islanders in many areas continue to experience chronic disease and contamination of traditional lands attributable to nuclear testing.
"Further, the Pacific is also facing severe effects of climate change and these are only likely to intensify.
"Globally, where changing climate and conflict converge, affected populations are especially vulnerable."
The three-day meeting ended on Thursday and was hosted by Kiribati and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
Over 20,000 people died in the Bougainville civil war and many disappeared without being accounted for. Photo: International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)