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Launch of Customary Humanitarian Law Study in Arabic
20-01-2007 News Release
A study by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) identifying 161 rules of customary international humanitarian law will be presented on 25.02.2007 at a launch ceremony for the Arab World in Cairo under the auspices of the League of Arab States and the Egyptian Ministry of Justice/National Commission for International Humanitarian Law
The following was issued as a press release by the ICRC delegation in Cairo on January 20 2007.
The ICRC will present its landmark study to high-level Arab representatives and legal experts on 25 February, at the start of a regional seminar on International humanitarian law. Representatives from Arab governments, as well as renowned legal experts and university professors will gather in Cairo for this seminar from 25 to 28 February.
The Arabic version of study on the " Customary rules of International Humanitarian Law " , to be launched under the auspices of the Arab League, is the outcome of over 8 years of worldwide research and legal consultations. Originally published in English in 2005, this study singles out 161 rules widely and consistently applied by states during wars: they are thus considered part of customary international law and are binding to states.
Six international and 47 national rapporteurs from all regions of the world have examined state practices in times of armed conflicts. Their findings –over 5000 pages- have summarized international humanitarian law in the 161 rules of this study. These customary obligations should be able to strengthen the protection afforded by the already existing laws to the victims of wars.
In other words, even if certain states are not party to a treaty or convention, they are nevertheless bound by the rules of customary in ternational humanitarian law and have therefore to withhold from certain practices during wars, if those practices are deemed unacceptable by the international community.
Since mid 2005, Regional Launching Events and Academic Conferences have taken place in a number of cities, including Geneva, London, Washington, The Hague, Oslo, Mexico City, Brussels, New Delhi, Beijing, Addis Ababa and Moscow.
The Arabic version to be launched in Cairo, constitutes the first completed translation from the English original, given its particular significance in this part of the world which finds itself in such dire need of an enhanced respect of IHL provisions in time of armed conflict.
Further information, please contact ICRC Cairo :
Gasser al-Shahed, Communication Officer
Tel 761 9332 – 337 7587 – 337 9282
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