12 August 2009 - 60th Anniversary of the adoption of the four Geneva Conventions of 1949 - Communiqué issued by the Permanent Mission of France to the United Nations

Today’s commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions gives France the opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to international humanitarian law.

An immense amount of work remains to be done to ensure universal respect for this law, as shown by the serious violations committed throughout the world.

All parties to an armed conflict are bound by international humanitarian law.
States and the international community at large bear a collective responsibility for promoting respect of this law and protecting civilian populations in conflict situations, particularly the most vulnerable.

Within the United Nations system and elsewhere, France and its partners will continue to actively promote the universal application of international humanitarian law.