Seminar urges Arab states to implement humanitarian law

A regional seminar of Arab experts in International Humanitarian Law (IHL) has urged all Arab states, that haven't yet done so, to set up national structures in charge of implementing the IHL (Geneva Convention).

Representatives of Arab IHL National Committees, who wound up their seminar, here Friday, issued a set of recommendations to be submitted to a meeting of government experts scheduled in Cairo next February with the aim to work out a regional action plan for the implementation of the IHL.

One of the recommendation calls on Arab states to ensure the protection of delegates and representatives of the Red Crescent and the Red Cross as well the cultural heritage in the event of war.

The seminar was organised jointly by the Moroccan ministry of Human Rights, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Arab League.

The meeting provided the opportunity for Morocco to announce the creation of its national committee of the IHL and to recall the kingdom's adherence to the promotion of human rights, said Moroccan minister of human rights, Mohamed Aujjar.

The creation of this committee responds to Morocco's king Mohammed VI pledge to promote humanitarian action, said the minister who recalled the kingdom's contribution to solving several international crises notably in Somalia, Bosnia and other Africa countries.