Doha: HE Undersecretary of the Ministry of Justice and Chairman of the National Committee for International Humanitarian Law (NCIHL), Saeed bin Abdullah Al Suwaidi, outlined the State of Qatar's most prominent efforts in promoting international humanitarian law and the challenges associated with its implementation.
According to Qatar News Agency, His Excellency delivered a lecture at the Joaan Bin Jassim Academy for Defense Studies, where he discussed the historical development of international humanitarian law. He addressed its concepts in old civilizations and Islamic law, and its reflections in international instruments, including the four Geneva Conventions, their Additional Protocols, and the Hague Conventions. He also highlighted the fundamental principles upon which this law is based.
His Excellency explained that the establishment of the National Committee for International Humanitarian Law in the State of Qatar was in line with the State's international obligations and its commitment to strengthening the rule of law. This was in response to the need for a national body concerned with coordinating efforts related to the application and dissemination of this law. He outlined the Committee's objectives, contributions, and most prominent achievements at the local, regional, and international levels.
He noted the committee's efforts to expand its membership to include representatives from new government entities and bodies, thereby strengthening institutional integration, particularly regarding the establishment of emergency committees and joint action plans during armed conflicts.
He also explained the NCIHL's role in awareness and training, through organizing lectures and introductory seminars for university and school students, in addition to specialized programs targeting diplomats in cooperation with the Diplomatic Institute at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, military personnel in cooperation with the Ministry of Defense, and medical staff in cooperation with the Ministry of Public Health, as well as journalists and legal researchers in cooperation with the Center for Legal and Judicial Studies at the Ministry of Justice.
He commended the inclusion of international humanitarian law concepts in the country's educational curricula, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, as part of efforts to instill a culture of this law and promote adherence to its principles.
His Excellency touched on the committee's role in proposing accession to relevant international agreements, or signing or ratifying them, and working to harmonize them with national legislation through amendment or issuing new laws. This is in addition to providing legal opinions to government agencies when requested, and enhancing cooperation with international organizations and counterpart committees, as well as the committee's role in media awareness related to the attacks that the State of Qatar was subjected to from Iran.