Pakistan: Law students explore IHL and naval warfare at 15th Henry Dunant Moot Court
Named after Henry Dunant, founder of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, the flagship competition has become a coveted milestone for law students in Pakistan. The moot court competition has continued to foster interest in IHL and its practical implications among legal academia and practitioners over the last 15 years.
"The competition was enriching and informative, with valuable insights into the application of international humanitarian law. Raising awareness about IHL is crucial and the moot court is an ideal platform for it," said Fareh Ahmed, a participant from the Islamia University of Bahawalpur.
This year's moot problem focused on the area of IHL that relates to naval warfare, emphasizing the legal principles governing the prohibition of perfidy, individual and command responsibility and the protection provided by IHL to people and objects. Over three intense days, participating students exhibited prowess in research and advocacy through rounds of debating and roleplay activities.
Following a rigorous selection process, the top prize was secured by the team from NUST, comprising of Zainab Rafique Khan and Harram Chaudhry as speakers, and Saaim Shahzad Sheikh as the researcher. This victory has earned them a spot in the regional moot court competition to be held in Hong Kong in 2024. The team from Pakistan College of Law, represented by Eman Hassan, Mehr Nasir and Pakiza Zainab, were the runners-up in the competition.