Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 8 November (BelTA) - Belarus is ready to share experience in the implementation of international humanitarian law, Belarus’ Justice Minister Oleg Slizhevsky said during the sixth ICRC regional seminar to discuss the implementation international humanitarian law, BelTA has learned.

“This is the third time we host the seminar. We regard this as the appreciation on the part of the International Committee of the Red Cross, its regional delegations. Belarus is always ready to host such events and share positive experience in the implementation of international humanitarian law,” Oleg Slizhevsky said. In spite of international efforts in this field, topical issues remain. Representatives of a number of countries have once again gathered in Minsk to seek possible ways to minimize the consequences of armed conflicts.

President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Peter Maurer noted that conflicts are changing. So are the conditions in which they are running. In this regard, it is important to discuss how international humanitarian law, which is decades years old, can be adapted to the new realities. “It is very important that these discussions take place in Minsk since Belarus is a good example of how international humanitarian law is integrated and implemented,” he said. It is important, according to the ICRC President, that the seminar has brought together representatives of both the countries with no armed conflicts and those that have suffered from them. Such meetings between representatives of different states give an opportunity to share different points of views, to exchange experience, and promote the compliance with international humanitarian law.

When asked whether it is possible to settle armed conflicts at the negotiating table, Peter Maurer noted that the compliance with international humanitarian law cannot resolve conflicts. It can, however, help reduce the negative impact of conflicts on the population.

Taking part in the seminar are representatives of the justice ministries, ministries of foreign affairs and defense ministries of different countries, including Syria. The member of the Syrian National Commission on International Humanitarian Law and the head of the Department of International Organizations and Conferences at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Syria emphasized the importance of such events. For Syria it is an opportunity to disseminate information how international humanitarian law is implemented in practice. The cooperation with the International Committee of the Red Cross has been established in many areas, including humanitarian aid to people and projects in healthcare and water supply system restoration.

The seminar marks the 40th anniversary of the additional protocols to the Geneva Conventions of 1949. These documents make the basis of international humanitarian law and are aimed at protecting victims of international and domestic armed conflicts. The seminar will also consider issues such as the role of the national commissions and other bodies responsible for the implementation of international humanitarian law at the national level, and the 20th anniversary of the Ottawa Treaty.