Beat Schweizer, head of the ICRC Regional Delegation in Bangkok, speaks at the workshop on December 5 (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The Foreign Ministry and theInternational Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) held a workshop in Hanoi onDecember 5 to mark the 60th anniversary of Vietnam’s ratification of the GenevaConventions of 1949 on international humanitarian law (IHL).
Nguyen Minh Vu, Assistant to the VietnameseForeign Minister, emphasised that Vietnam’s ratification of the 1949 GenevaConventions was an important milestone demonstrating the country’s respect forand promotion of the enforcement of the IHL in particular and international lawin general.
At present, changes in the forms of armedconflicts and the strong development of science-technology, including thedevelopment of tools and weapons used in war, are posing substantial challengesto the interpretation and application of regulations of these conventions,which were drafted in the 19th century.
Therefore, the workshop also provides a platformfor domestic and foreign experts to discuss the latest developments in theinterpretation and application of regulations in the IHL, along withinternational efforts in promoting the IHL enforcement in the world, Vu said.
Beat Schweizer, head of the ICRC Regional Delegation in Bangkok,said the ICRC highly valued Vietnam’s active support for and leadership instrengthening and developing the IHL.
The ICRC has established and maintained relations with civiland military organisations of Vietnam to enforce the Geneva Conventions, and hopesto enhance dialogue on IHL-related issues with the Vietnamese Government, headded.
At the workshop, participants shared Vietnam’sexperience in implementing the Geneva Conventions of 1949 during wartime and indealing with war consequences, raising awareness of the IHL, and stepping upthe enforcement of the Geneva Conventions and other contents of the IHL.
On June 5, 1957, then President Ho Chi Minhsigned a document declaring Vietnam’s joining of the Geneva Conventions of1949. They comprise the Geneva Convention for the Amelioration of the Conditionof the Wounded and Sick in Armed Forces in the Field; the Geneva Convention forthe Amelioration of the Condition of Wounded, Sick and Shipwrecked Members ofArmed Forces at Sea; the Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection ofCivilian Persons in Time of War; and the Geneva Convention Relative to theTreatment of Prisoners of War.
These conventions have had 196 parties, and theyare among the few international treaties that have such a large number ofmember states and are applied around the globe.-VNA
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