Kuwait Red Crescent reaffirms commitment to strengthening international efforts to uphold international humanitarian law

Geneva, Nov 5 (KUNA) -- The Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) reaffirmed on Thursday its commitment to supporting international efforts aimed at consolidating respect for international humanitarian law (IHL) and enhancing cooperation with humanitarian organizations and entities concerned with protecting civilians and victims of armed conflicts.

Latifa Al-Meer, the Secretary-General of the Society, told the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) after leading a KRCS delegation in the Global Dialogue on International Humanitarian Law, organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Geneva, that the dialogue served as an international platform for exchanging experiences and discussing mechanisms to strengthen adherence to IHL and develop ways to implement it on the ground.

Al-Meer added that the dialogue, which saw participation from representatives of states, international and regional organizations, national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies, and academic circles, explored ways to translate the outcomes of the Global Initiative for Strengthening Compliance with IHL into practical measures at the national, regional, and international levels.

She explained that discussions focused on enhancing the protection of civilians, reducing violations and human suffering during armed conflicts, safeguarding essential services, and ensuring that the use of technology aligns with humanitarian principles and IHL provisions.

She noted that participants also addressed the importance of developing national measures and strengthening international cooperation and experience sharing to consolidate respect for IHL and activate its implementation mechanisms.

Al-Meer mentioned that the KRCS delegation, which included Asrar Al-Qabandi, Head of the Legal and International Humanitarian Law Affairs Department, held a number of meetings on the sidelines of the dialogue with Dr. Cordula Droge, Director of the Law, Movement and Partnerships Department at the ICRC; Amal Imam, Executive Director of the Egyptian Red Crescent; and Ambassador Nasser Al-Hin, Kuwait’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva.

She emphasized that these meetings were part of efforts to enhance communication and coordination with international humanitarian institutions and to exchange views and experiences on issues of common interest, thereby supporting humanitarian efforts aimed at protecting victims of armed conflicts.

Al-Meer stressed that the Kuwait Red Crescent Society would continue to support international humanitarian initiatives and raise awareness about IHL, in line with its humanitarian mission and its role in promoting the principles of international solidarity and cooperation and protecting the most vulnerable groups affected by crises and conflicts. (End) A.M.Kh./M.A.A.