Central America: Legal experts awarded Jean Pictet Prize

Three legal experts have received the Jean Pictet Prize, a distinction that is awarded each year by the ICRC regional delegation in Guatemala to persons who have carried out outstanding research in the field of international humanitarian law.

At a ceremony held on 8 May, World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day, the ICRC presented the laureates with special plaques honouring their work and their dedication to the study of humanitarian law.

The first prize went to Ana Virginia López, a Guatemalan, whose research focused on the protection of children under humanitarian law and included a comparative study of Latin American constitutions and other relevant legal texts. In particular Ms López examined the situation in Guatemala, drawing attention to the fact that the rules of humanitarian law were flouted during the country's recent armed conflict.