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

The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Kuwait Red Crescent Society, 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 today, 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, and to shed light on the protection of civilians, humanitarian workers, and medical teams, while discussing the challenges of implementing them in contemporary conflicts.

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

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

He noted that organizing such events aligns with the commitment to disseminate international humanitarian law as widely as possible, emphasizing the significant importance the State of Kuwait places on protecting human beings in times of peace and war, as well as its prominent contributions to humanitarian action and relief for victims of conflicts and disasters, including the efforts and aid provided to the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip.

For his part, Ali Al-Housh, Programs and Cooperation Officer at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and a lecturer at the workshop, affirmed Kuwait’s leading role in supporting and strengthening international humanitarian law and entrenching its principles through national and international legislation and initiatives that contribute to protecting human beings and humanitarian workers.

Al-Housh said that hosting the Red Crescent’s workshop coinciding with the anniversary of the 1949 Geneva Conventions reflects its role as a component of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and its efforts to promote and strengthen the culture of international humanitarian law at the national level.

He added that Kuwait’s adoption of legislation concerning international crimes and the protection of the emblem embodies its advanced approach to safeguarding humanitarian action and its workers, alongside its role in supporting international initiatives related to missing persons, thereby enhancing its standing in serving international humanitarian law.