Doug Specht’s research cited in International Development Committee report on humanitarian law

Earlier this month, the International Development Committee released a new report, “Protection not permission: The UK’s role in upholding international humanitarian law and supporting the safe delivery of humanitarian aid,” which included research from an evidence pack by Doug Specht.

The report argues that international humanitarian law (IHL) efforts are under attack, and the UK should be the primary champion of IHL on the international stage. The committee recommends that the UK stands firm in its support for the International Criminal Court, supports the role of the armed forces in promoting IHL, and continues to prioritise the safety of aid workers in its approach to funding humanitarian responses, among other solutions.

Dr Specht’s evidence pack examines the gaps in international humanitarian law concerning humanitarian access and proposes potential roles for the UK Government in addressing these issues. It is referenced in relation to the report’s claim that there is a lack of clarity around “evidence-building and accountability mechanisms” in IHL enforcement.

In an article for Geographical, Specht ruminates on the strengths and limitations of the report. He praises the focus on diplomacy and international cooperation and on its advocacy for a coordinated approach, remarking that the recommendations “reflect an apparent willingness by the UK Government to pursue creative approaches to upholding IHL, even as existing mechanisms are increasingly stalled by political gridlock.”

On the other hand, Specht also notes that the report fails to consider the geopolitical interests that undermine humanitarian principles and struggles to provide clear instructions on how to realistically and efficiently implements any of the suggested actions made throughout the paper.

Overall, the report offers a sobering reminder of the uphill battle faced by global humanitarian efforts, including increasingly treacherous conditions for air workers, at a time when demand for humanitarian aid is skyrocketing.

Read the full report here.

Read Specht’s article in Geographical here.

Read the evidence pack on parliament.uk here.

Photo by Kevin Paes on Unsplash