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Study on customary international law launched in Cairo under the auspices of the Arab League and the Egyptian National Commission for IHL
22-02-2007 News Release
Cairo (ICRC) – A study by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) identifying 161 rules of customary international humanitarian law (IHL) was presented at a launch ceremony today, 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 February 26, 2007.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) presented its landmark study to high-level delegates of 15 Arab countries, as well as to legal experts, diplomats and representatives of the civil society and the media, gathered in Cairo on February 25th, at the start of a two days regional seminar on the mentioned topic.
The Egyptian Minister of Justice, the Representative of the Secretary General of the Arab League, the Head of Delegation of the ICRC in Egypt and the Representative of the Egyptian Red Crescent Society opened the meeting; it will be immediately followed by another two days encounter of IHL National Commissions of the Arab world.
The Arabic version of study on the " Customary rules of International Humanitarian Law " is the outcome of over 8 years of worldwide research and legal consultations. Originally published in English in 2005, this study singles out a series of 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.
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 launched in Cairo is the first completed translation of the English original text. The decision to translate the study and make it available to Arab experts comes as a response to a dire need to enhance respect of IHL in a region witnessing several armed conflicts.
Gasser al-Shahed, Communication Officer, ICRC Cairo
Tel. 202 - 761 9332 – 337 7587 / 010 65 57 799
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