Sana'a: A workshop entitled "Enhancing Civil Society Organizations' Awareness of the Principles of International Humanitarian Law" began on Sunday in the capital Sana'a. The workshop is organized by the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights, through the National Human Rights Commission, in cooperation with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) delegation.
According to Yemen News Agency, the three-day workshop, with the participation of 30 representatives from civil society organizations and a number of experts, academics, and those interested in humanitarian and legal affairs, aims to raise awareness of the principles of international humanitarian law and strengthen the capacities of local actors in the areas of legal and humanitarian protection, thereby contributing to supporting humanitarian response.
At the opening of the workshop, the head of the National Human Rights Commission, Ali Taysir, reviewed the most prominent national efforts in the field of promoting and protecting human rights. He pointed to the importance of this workshop in raising public awareness of international humanitarian law and developing coordination mechanisms with civil society organizations and international partners.
He affirmed that the Authority places particular importance on training and capacity-building programs, considering them among the most crucial avenues for strengthening the protection of rights and freedoms. He commended the ongoing cooperation with the International Committee of the Red Cross in this area.
Taysir described the facilitation of civil society organizations as a vital support to government efforts and a key partner in defending rights and freedoms, emphasizing that their role becomes even more critical during humanitarian crises and conflicts.
He pointed out that Yemen has been calling for the application of international humanitarian law for over 12 years, amidst a brutal global aggression that has resulted in the killing of women and children, the destruction of infrastructure, and the continued unjust blockade imposed on the Yemeni people. He stressed that these violations necessitate a clear and urgent legal and humanitarian stance from the international community.
He explained that Islamic law predates modern international conventions in establishing principles for the protection of human beings during wars, emphasizing the necessity for civil society organizations to fulfill their responsibilities and their role in disseminating and implementing the principles of international humanitarian law.
The head of the Human Rights Commission addressed the agreements concerning prisoners of war, commending the positive role played by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in this humanitarian matter.
For his part, the Dean of the Higher Judicial Institute, Judge Dr. Mohammed Al-Shami, emphasized the importance of enhancing legal knowledge among civil society organizations and their role in promoting a culture of justice and protecting civilians amidst current humanitarian challenges.
Al-Shami pointed out that international humanitarian law (IHL) represents a fundamental framework for regulating armed conflicts and mitigating their impact on vulnerable groups, stressing the importance of integrating its principles into training and awareness programs.
In turn, the Deputy Head of the ICRC Delegation, Yves Van Loo, explained that this workshop is part of the ICRC's efforts to engage with local partners from official and civil institutions, and to promote understanding of the principles of IHL and its implementation mechanisms.
He noted that the ICRC's work is based on the Geneva Conventions and aims to protect victims of armed conflicts and provide them with humanitarian assistance, in addition to strengthening respect for IHL more broadly.
On the first day of the workshop, Ambassador Dr. Ahmed al-Emad gave an overview of the origin and development of international humanitarian law, its historical stages and basic principles.