The Bahrain Red Crescent Society (BRCS) participated in a remote seminar organized by the regional delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Bahrain Bar Society on “international humanitarian law”. The seminar discussed many topics, including the significance of spreading awareness of international humanitarian law, the relationship of international humanitarian law to human rights, and the groups and objects protected by this law, its preventive, supervisory, and punitive application mechanisms, and the scope of its application in light of cyber wars, in addition to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the humanitarian situation around the world.
Mr. Mubarak Al Hadi, Bahrain Red Crescent General Secretary, said at the beginning of the seminar that the society is working hard to promote international humanitarian law as one of the basic principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, in permanent cooperation with the International Committee of the Red Cross.
“The cooperation with the Bahrain Bar Society in this seminar embodies community partnership in its finest humanitarian fields, and is a strong indication that all members and affiliates of the Bahrain Red Crescent believe in the importance of social partnership in the service of their country, and we call for more of these fruitful and useful activities to build the capacity of the participants.” Al Hadi added.
During the seminar, Dr. Fawzi Amin, Head of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ delegation in the GCC, stressed that raising awareness of international humanitarian law is the primary factor in achieving the goals of the law that seeks to alleviate the scourge of wars and conflicts and protect civilians from wars’ devastating effects.
Dr. Amin also discussed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the humanitarian situation in the world, especially in conflict areas, in addition to the mechanisms of implementing international humanitarian law in times of the pandemic, and the challenges and responsibilities. “The world is going through a challenging time due to the severe crises caused by the COVID-19 pandemic that affected all aspects of life, especially the economic and social ones, it also casts a shadow over the most vulnerable groups, especially those living in areas of armed conflict that have been burdened by wars and devastation, which led to the deterioration of all humanitarian services and many of them face more complex humanitarian conditions, such as health cadres, refugees and displaced persons.” Dr. Amin added.
This seminar was prepared by a member of the Bahrain Red Crescent Society and Bahrain Bar Society, the lawyer Zakia Boukamal, during which she presented an introduction on international humanitarian law and the scope of its application, in partnership with Dr. Moez Al Huzali from the International Committee of the Red Cross. The seminar also enjoyed the valuable participation of the lawyer, Mr. Hassan Badawi, President of the Bahrain Bar Society.