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Bill · started in the Lords

Geneva Conventions and United Nations Personnel (Protocols) Act

To amend the Geneva Conventions Act 1957 so as to give effect to the Protocol additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949 done on 8 December 2005; and to amend the United Nations Personnel Act 1997 so as to give effect to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on 8 December 2005

Now an Act of Parliament

The story so farThe Geneva Conventions and United Nations Personnel (Protocols) Bill was introduced in the House of Lords on 17 December 2008 by Lord Malloch-Brown (Labour). It completed its passage through Parliament and became law as the Geneva Conventions and United Nations Personnel (Protocols) Act, receiving Royal Assent on 2 July 2009.

What the bill does

This short Bill enables the UK to ratify two international agreements to protect humanitarian workers and military medical personnel: the Third Additional Protocol to the Geneva Conventions; and the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel.<br><br><strong>Key areas: </strong><br><ul><li>Sanctions the Red Crystal as a new symbol to protect humanitarian personnel in armed conflict where the existing Red Cross or Red Crescent is not acceptable </li><li>Extends the Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel to protect UN workers in two new categories: those delivering humanitarian, political or development assistance in peace-building operations, and those delivering emergency humanitarian protection. </li></ul>

Progress through Parliament

  1. 1st reading Lords 17 Dec 2008
  2. 2nd reading Lords 27 Jan 2009
  3. Order of Commitment discharged Lords 23 Feb 2009
  4. 3rd reading Lords 2 Mar 2009
  5. 1st reading Commons 2 Mar 2009
  6. 2nd reading Commons 1 Apr 2009
  7. Programme motion Commons 1 Apr 2009
  8. Programme motion Commons 10 Jun 2009
  9. Committee stage Commons 10 Jun 2009
  10. 3rd reading Commons 10 Jun 2009
  11. Royal Assent Unassigned 2 Jul 2009

Source: the official bill page. Last updated 16 Oct 2009.