Namibia: Generating respect for International Humanitarian Law

Harare (ICRC) - Government representatives from nearly 30 Commonwealth countries are meeting in Swakopmund, Namibia from 14 to 15 June 2017 to explore how to strengthen respect for international humanitarian law (IHL). The two-day meeting will provide a platform for exchanges on recent developments in IHL and encourage the countries represented to improve their compliance with and enforcement of IHL.

"Promoting regular peer-to-peer engagement and support between Commonwealth member countries is critical for reinforcing national and international commitments to generating respect for IHL. Their shared legal heritage will enable the meeting to focus on solutions and approaches to strengthening the law that can easily be adapted across all 52 member countries," said Marie-Pierre Olivier, Legal Advisor at the Rule of Law Division of the Commonwealth Secretariat.

This Meeting of Representatives of Commonwealth National Committees on IHL is the fourth held since 2005 in different Commonwealth countries.

Sarah Swart, Regional Legal Advisor of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said: "The British Red Cross and the Commonwealth Secretariat have a long-term collaboration, which provides a unique opportunity to bring together a diverse range of governments from Africa, the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. Bridging this diversity of experiences and unifying support around IHL's common goal of preserving humanity is central to ongoing efforts to generate respect for IHL."

IHL is a set of rules that seek to limit the effects of armed conflict. It protects people who are not or no longer participating in hostilities and restricts the means and methods of warfare.

For further information, please contact:

Rosemary Nalisa, Humanitarian Diplomacy Manager, Namibia Red Cross Society, +264811280467 ?@NamibiaRedCross
Tendayi Sengwe, Head of Communications, ICRC Harare, +263 7722490960 ?@tendayi_sengwe