Red Crescent: Kuwait a pioneer in supporting international humanitarian law and relief work

Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) Board of Directors Chairman Khaled Al-Mughams affirmed that the State of Kuwait has consolidated its leading regional and international position in supporting humanitarian action and promoting respect for international humanitarian law, in line with its steadfast approach to protecting human beings and alleviating the suffering of those affected around the world.

This statement was made by Al-Mughams in an interview with KUNA following the opening of a workshop organized by the society, titled “The Four Geneva Conventions and Humanitarian Action: Towards Enhancing the Protection of Human Beings and Humanitarian Workers in Armed Conflicts,” attended by representatives of various official bodies involved in and sponsoring humanitarian work.

He stated that the workshop aims to highlight the importance of the conventions as the primary legal reference for protecting victims of conflicts, shed light on the protection of civilians, humanitarian workers, and medical personnel, and discuss the challenges of implementing them in contemporary conflicts.

Al-Mughams added that Kuwait plays a pivotal role in supporting and disseminating the principles of international humanitarian law, the Geneva Conventions, and their Additional Protocols. He noted the Kuwait Red Crescent’s keenness to spread the culture of international humanitarian law through training and awareness programs, enhance cooperation with national and international institutions, and build capacities while raising awareness of its provisions.

Al-Mughams expressed hope that the workshop would yield practical recommendations to enhance the dissemination of international humanitarian law, develop cooperation mechanisms among relevant parties, and entrench a culture of respecting the Geneva Conventions, thereby supporting the protection of human beings and safeguarding their dignity, while strengthening security, peace, and stability.

For his part, the workshop lecturer and Head of the Legal Department at the National Bank of Kuwait, and specialist in international humanitarian law, Advisor Dr. Nawaf Al-Sharayan, told KUNA the importance of the four 1949 Geneva Conventions in providing protection for victims of armed conflicts.

Al-Sharayan said the First Convention concerns the protection of the wounded and sick in the field, the Second deals with the wounded, sick, and shipwrecked at sea, the Third covers prisoners of war, while the Fourth focuses on the protection of civilians.

He clarified that the two Additional Protocols of 1977 enhanced the scope of protection; the first addresses international armed conflicts, while the second addresses non-international armed conflicts.

He noted that organizing such events comes within the framework of the commitment to disseminate international humanitarian law on the widest possible scale, highlighting the great importance the State of Kuwait attaches to protecting human beings in peace and war, and its notable contributions to humanitarian action and assisting those affected by conflicts and disasters, including the efforts and aid provided to the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip.