HE Minister of Justice Masoud bin Mohamed al-Ameri inaugurated on Monday the two-day introductory course on international humanitarian law for diplomats, organised by the National Commission for International Humanitarian Law and the Diplomatic Institute of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in co-operation with the International Committee of the Red Cross represented by the regional mission of the Gulf Co-operation Council, QNA reported.
In his opening speech, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Justice and Chairman of the National Commission for International Humanitarian Law Sultan bin Abdullah al-Suwaidi stressed the importance of this course in introducing the international humanitarian law related to the protection of life and dignity of people during armed conflicts, as these laws provide protection and assistance to victims of conflicts.
Al-Suwaidi also referred to the prominent role Qatar plays in several international forums via its ambassadors and permanent delegates, where it constantly urges humanitarian action, such as the protection of civilians, women and children.
Qatar always provides its full and continuous support to all conflict-hit countries in order to mitigate the burdens of humanitarian crises, and to help all people to overcome their challenges, he added. He added that this introductory seminar, which targets elite diplomats, comes within the framework of spreading awareness of international humanitarian law, and is in line with the decision to establish the national commission in Qatar, which states that one of the objectives of establishing the committee is to raise awareness of the topic.
Al-Suwaidi noted that Qatar always urges for the respect of international humanitarian law, given that it ratified the Four Geneva Conventions whose Common Article 1 stipulates that states and parties involved in armed conflicts must undertake to "respect and ensure the respect" for international humanitarian law in all cases, and that they must exercise their influence in order to avoid and put an end to violations of international humanitarian law, and not encourage other parties to commit such violations.
The head of the National Commission for International Humanitarian Law noted that respect for this law is an urgent necessity and that the Arab people, know all too well of this necessity, as our Arab region is, unfortunately, witnessing multiple armed conflicts that have left, and continues to leave devastating effects on people and property, due to the lack of due respect for the international humanitarian law.
For his part, Director of the Human Rights Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr Turki Abdullah al-Mahmoud said that this introductory session aims to support and enhance knowledge of international humanitarian law among diplomats in order to be equipped to deal with violations of the international humanitarian law. He added that any violations must be firmly condemned by the international community, as stipulated by the Declaration on the Protection of War Victims adopted in Geneva on Sept 1, 1993.
Al-Mahmoud pointed out that this session comes at a time when the world is witnessing the most severe period experienced in decades. He then added that it is necessary to strengthen international solidarity in order to protect the victims of conflict, by supporting peaceful initiatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross aimed at the avoidance of conflict situations and the removal of tensions within the framework of the Charter of the United Nations and international humanitarian law.
For her part, Cherine Pollini, the Head of Mission of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Qatar, said that this event contributes to bringing together future diplomats interested in this field in particular, in Doha, with the aim of exchanging views on international humanitarian law and working together towards enhancing its recognition and respect, whether at the regional level or on a wider scale. (QNA)
Al-Suwaidi also referred to the prominent role Qatar plays in several international forums via its ambassadors and permanent delegates, where it constantly urges humanitarian action, such as the protection of civilians, women and children.
Qatar always provides its full and continuous support to all conflict-hit countries in order to mitigate the burdens of humanitarian crises, and to help all people to overcome their challenges, he added. He added that this introductory seminar, which targets elite diplomats, comes within the framework of spreading awareness of international humanitarian law, and is in line with the decision to establish the national commission in Qatar, which states that one of the objectives of establishing the committee is to raise awareness of the topic.
Al-Suwaidi noted that Qatar always urges for the respect of international humanitarian law, given that it ratified the Four Geneva Conventions whose Common Article 1 stipulates that states and parties involved in armed conflicts must undertake to "respect and ensure the respect" for international humanitarian law in all cases, and that they must exercise their influence in order to avoid and put an end to violations of international humanitarian law, and not encourage other parties to commit such violations.
The head of the National Commission for International Humanitarian Law noted that respect for this law is an urgent necessity and that the Arab people, know all too well of this necessity, as our Arab region is, unfortunately, witnessing multiple armed conflicts that have left, and continues to leave devastating effects on people and property, due to the lack of due respect for the international humanitarian law.
For his part, Director of the Human Rights Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr Turki Abdullah al-Mahmoud said that this introductory session aims to support and enhance knowledge of international humanitarian law among diplomats in order to be equipped to deal with violations of the international humanitarian law. He added that any violations must be firmly condemned by the international community, as stipulated by the Declaration on the Protection of War Victims adopted in Geneva on Sept 1, 1993.
Al-Mahmoud pointed out that this session comes at a time when the world is witnessing the most severe period experienced in decades. He then added that it is necessary to strengthen international solidarity in order to protect the victims of conflict, by supporting peaceful initiatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross aimed at the avoidance of conflict situations and the removal of tensions within the framework of the Charter of the United Nations and international humanitarian law.
For her part, Cherine Pollini, the Head of Mission of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Qatar, said that this event contributes to bringing together future diplomats interested in this field in particular, in Doha, with the aim of exchanging views on international humanitarian law and working together towards enhancing its recognition and respect, whether at the regional level or on a wider scale. (QNA)