Philippines: Manila hosts international seminar on law of armed conflict
11-10-2013 News Release 167/13
A six-day seminar on the international laws governing military operations will bring together 40 members of civil society, governments and the armed forces from across South-East and East Asia in Manila this Sunday.
This is the first time the Philippines has hosted the event, although seven such seminars have already taken place in the region. Organization is in the hands of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the College of Law of the University of the Philippines.
"The seminar will help build a broad understanding of the laws that apply in armed conflict and of the fact that they must be obeyed, in the interests of humanity,” said Alain Aeschlimann, the ICRC's head of operations for East Asia, South-East Asia and the Pacific. “It will also provide a forum where civil society professionals involved in promoting humanitarian law and policy can debate their role.”
Experts from the ICRC, the University of the Philippines and Mindanao State University will deliver lectures on various topics, including the laws that regulate and limit the methods and means of warfare and how to enforce them.
“Participants will take part in role-play sessions as well as more theoretical classes,” said Evecar Cruz, the ICRC’s legal adviser in the Philippines. “With representatives from 11 different countries sharing their experiences and insights, the event will build an international network of people interested in humanitarian issues.”
For further information, please contact:
Soaade Messoudi, ICRC Manila, tel: +63 918 907 2125
Allison Lopez, ICRC Manila, tel: +63 908 868 6884