A high-profile delegation of Qatar Red Crescent (QRC) has participated in the 37th Round Table on current issues of International Humanitarian Law, organised by the International Institute of Humanitarian Law (IIHL) in Sanremo, Italy, in co-operation with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
Focusing this year on the ‘Conduct of Hostilities: the Practice, the Law and the Future’, the annual event was held under the high patronage of the Italian president and under the patronage of the Italian ministries of foreign affairs and defence.
QRC was represented by secretary-general Saleh bin Ali al-Mohannadi and head of International Relations and International Humanitarian Law Dr Fawzi Oussedik. QRC also provided interpretation services for Arabic speakers.
Al-Mohannadi chaired Session 9, titled ‘Conduct of Hostilities: Specificities in Various Domains’ that included two lectures – Naval Warfare by Wolff Heintschel Von Heinegg, professor of International Law at Viadrina European University (Frankfurt, Oder) and vice-president, International Society for Military Law and the Law of War, and council member, IIHL; and Air Warfare by Lieutenant Colonel Arnaud Penent d’Izarn, Colombian Air Forces and director, Presidential Programme for Colombian Space Development, Bogotá.
The lectures were followed by open discussions among the audience.
The Round Table saw large-scale international attendance from 40 Arab and non-Arab countries.
The gathering comprised 255 senior humanitarian, military, diplomatic and legal figures, notably Professor Fausto Pocar, IIHL president; Elizabeth Wilmshurst and Dr Baldwin De Vidts, IIHL vice-presidents; Dr Stefania Baldini, IIHL secretary-general; Christine Beerli, ICRC secretary-general; Dr Mohamed al-Asbali, executive director, Islamic Committee of the International Crescent; and Brigadier General (ret) Jan Peter Spijk, president, International Society for Military Law and the Law of War.
Several international organisations were represented, including the United Nations, Amnesty International, ICRC, IIHL, North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and the European Union, as well as national societies, universities, academic centres, ministries and the armed forces of many countries.
Qatar was represented by officials from the Ministries of Interior and Justice as well as the National Committee for the International Humanitarian Law.
The 37th Round Table provided an in-depth analysis of the international law governing the conduct of hostilities and the new challenges that have to be faced in the current international scenario at the operational level.
Particular attention was paid to specific issues such as operational planning and targeting, the protection of civilians and technological developments in respect of the law covering the conduct of hostilities.
