Bosnia-Herzegovina: Promoting respect for humanitarian law

On 20 September a book launch was held in Sarajevo to mark the publication in Bosnia-Herzegovina's three national languages of " Respect for International Humanitarian Law " , a handbook for parliamentarians produced jointly by the ICRC and the Swiss-based Inter-Parliamentary Union.

The book, which was issued in 1999 for the 50th anniversary of the 1949 Geneva Conventions, looks at the ways in which parliaments and parliamentarians can ensure that humanitarian law treaties are incorporated into national legislation and that the rules of war are respected in times of internal and international unrest.

Mr Sead Avdic, deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, which hosted the event together with the ICRC, emphasized the important role of parliamentarians regarding the application and promotion of humanitarian law.

The book launch took place in a Sarajevo gallery famous as a meeting place for Bosnia's academics and intellectuals. It was attended by representatives of the State and Entity authorities, members of the Standing Committee on Military Matters, the legal adviser to the Bosnia-Herzegovina Presidency, a number of well-known intellectuals, officials from the national Red Cross Society and members of the international community.

" Parliamentarians play a key role in the process through which States enact national legislation " , said Balthasar Staehelin, ICRC head of delegation in Bosnia-Herzegovina, in his welcoming address. “I trust that this handbook will prove a useful tool. "

The Council of Ministers has just adopted the draft laws regulating the status of the fledgling Red Cro ss Society of Bosnia-Herzegovina and the use of the red cross emblem, clearing the way for their passage through parliament.