Furthermore, the ICRC is active in the education and sensibilisation of the youth and in the universities. The ICRC spreads information not only about international law, but also about human values. In addition, it reminds governments of their duties in this field. A short time ago, as the first president of the ICRC, I had the chance to address NATO's North Atlantic Council. The humanitarian domain must not be left only to humanitarian and neutral organizations.
Governments especially have to care about their financial responsability.
States are subjects of international law and are therefore primarily responsable for the respect of human conditions. Only thereafter follows the collective responsability of the signatory states of the Geneva Conventions. The ICRC has worked in this direction for decades. The establishment of international war crimes tribunals is a positive step. Nevertheless, the ICRC has made it clear that its representatives will not present themselves as witnesses in court.