When one thinks of the Tree of Life, several images may come to mind because of its deep roots in different cultures and religions. The first and last books of the Bible mention it together with the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden, while the Bodhi Tree in Buddhism was where Siddhartha Gautama […]
ArtistSpace Gallery Celebrates ‘75 Years of the Geneva Conventions’
In celebration of of the 75th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions at August 12, ArtistSpace Gallery at the Ayala Museum Annex launched a short, two-week exhibit focused on the long, storied history of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and how it’s been able to help out people in conflict-ridden areas.
The Geneva Conventions established the humanitarian treatment of people during war. It affords prisoners-of-war and military officers basic rights during combat, and ensures the protection of non-combatants, the elderly, and the sick and wounded. It also protects civilians in war zones. Four different conventions established these rights between 1864 and 1949.
These international humanitarian laws remain important in our modern age. Two massive conflicts, the Russian-Ukranian war and the Israeli-Palestinian war continue to pile up horrific human casualties, as multiple conflicts spring up around the world.
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The enforcement of laws focused on human rights remain more essential than ever. This exhibit highlights the historical necessity for such laws and underscores their ongoing importance as long as war and conflict persist.
“This photo exhibit aims to remember all the lives the Conventions have saved,” the exhibit write-up said. “[It recognizes] the further work that needs to be done and remind[s] the world of the importance of protecting people from the worst of warfare.”
Reducing the Turmoil of War
The exhibit highlights the original ratification of the Geneva Conventions post-World War II, and the humanitarian efforts of the ICRC in the past 75 years. One of the pictures here shows President Manuel Roxas ratifying the 1929 Geneva Convention and establishing the Philippine Red Cross.
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They also included an interactive portion for the exhibit, entitled If War Comes To You. It puts viewers in the perspective of people in the midst of conflict. Whether it’s an aid worker, a soldier, or a civilian, it highlights how the Geneva Conventions can help people during turbulent times.
Many photographs show the Red Cross in action during different crises around the world. These pictures don’t linger on the fighting, but instead depict the affected civilians and the ways the ICRC mobilized to help them in the middle of the conflicts.
Establishing the History of Humanitarian Organizations
From a refugee camp in Rwanda to a Cambodian orphanage during the Khmer Rouge’s genocide, it exposes the death of innocents that come with the ravages of war. More than that, it establishes the need for a humanitarian law and agency to help prevent further atrocities.
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The Philippines itself appears multiple times. Some are innocuous enough: one picture portrays World War II humanitarian treatment for Japanese prisoners-of-war and the country’s political prisoners. Other pictures show the aftermath of the hostilities in Marawi and Maguindanao.
Universally Shared Values of Human Rights
While the exhibit delves into various conflicts, there is also an undertone of hope with focus on the goodness inherent in every person. One photo shows a child from the Democratic Republic of Congo reunited with their parents. Another photo illustrates the spirit of comradeship as volunteers pile boxes of food supplies in Syria. People are willing to help when you give them the avenues to do so.
The exhibit ends with the aforementioned conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. Both have had a steady amount of casualties, with the Israeli military accused of targeting humanitarian services and journalists.
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This portion promotes the importance of upholding human rights on both sides. In the instance of the Israeli-Palestinian war, the Red Cross demands the proper humane treatment of Palestinian detainees even as they call for the release of hostages. Human rights do not disappear just because you’re fighting for the other side.
75 Years of the Geneva Conventions promotes to the viewers the importance of human rights for all, especially in conflict zones. It allows humanitarian organizations like the Red Cross to ensure the safety of civilians around the world. These rules are “the one set of rules we all agree on,” and the exhibit demonstrates their need even in our modern times.
Related reading: ‘Warm Bodies’: Creating Empathetic Art in an Unkind World
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