UNGA80: LAW signs the Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel
Accountability & Rule of Law - Global - Advocacy - Legal Aid & Empowerment
On Sunday, 21 September 2025, during the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). the Australian foreign Minister Penny Wong, and Ambassador James Larsen Launched the Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel.
Foreign Ministers from Switzerland, Brazil, Indonesia, Sierra Leone, Jordan, and distinguished representatives from more than 100 countries signed the declaration, making it a milestone in global efforts to safeguard those who risk everything to help others.
As attacks on humanitarian staff have been on the rise over the past years, this declaration reiterates that an attack on aid workers is an attack on civilians and a violation of international law, reinforces the urgent need to protect them and makes important commitments to greater accountability and justice in response to incidents.
Nick Leddy, Head of Litigation, represented LAW at the signing ceremony and signed the Declaration on LAW’s behalf. LAW is honoured to be an implementing partner, directly on the ground, to ensure that aid workers and their families can secure justice and accountability. LAW does this through:
- Providing legal services to affected aid workers and their families
- Creating networks of lawyers and investigators to support justice and accountability
- Ensuring survivors participation in decision-making forums
LAW already provided legal information, advice and/or representation to 26 national and international humanitarian organisations, concerning 84 individuals killed, tortured, arbitrarily detained or threatened, in 9 countries.
Over 200 individuals working for over 50 organisations were consulted to prepare the report “Justice and accountability for attacks on aid workers: What are the barriers and how to overcome them?”, launched in 2024. The initiative received strong support from Member States, NGOs and UN Agencies, contributing to making justice and accountability part of every conversation on the protection of aid workers.