International Humanitarian City, IHC, is hosting its maiden forum on \u201cHumanitarian Action Rooted in Islam and International Humanitarian Law\u201d in Dubai.<\/p>\n
The two-day forum, which opens today, is jointly organised by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) at the IHC premises.<\/p>\n
An official from the Ministry of International Cooperation and Development (MICAD) inaugurated the forum in the presence of around 40 participants representing various local government and non-government institutions and charities in addition to representatives of international organisations and aid workers.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis forum is first of its kind, it tackles the complementary rules of IHL and those deeply rooted in Islam regarding alleviating the suffering of victims of war, mainly wounded combatants and prisoners of war,\u201d said Yehia Khalil, Deputy Head of the ICRC regional delegation in Kuwait. \u201cThe forum also presented the opportunity to increase participants\u2019 awareness on our neutral and independent humanitarian action in the region.\u201d Shaima Al Zarooni, IHC CEO, said, \u201cWe are pleased to join the efforts with ICRC and NRC to host such an informative Forum. Our unique platform at the IHC enables our members and partners to utilise Dubai\u2019s unique facilities for capacity building, information sharing and dialogue about various relevant topics in the humanitarian field. We take this opportunity to extend our appreciation to the organisers and MICAD for inaugurating the forum and their ongoing support.\u201d In-depth deliberations took place among the participants on topics such as the general and the specific protection of persons and properties in time of armed conflict, the basic principles relating to the means and methods of warfare, and the terrible consequences resulting from targeting healthcare personnel and facilities. It also explored ways for better compliance with international humanitarian law and the relevant rules of Islamic law.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe forum presented us with the opportunity to shed light on the similarities between the relevant provisions of Islam and IHL in view of the current conflicts worldwide and particularly in the Middle East region,\u201d commented Mario Stephan, NRC\u2019s Gulf Office Director.<\/p>\n
More than half of the ICRC\u2019s current operations are being carried out in favour of the conflict victims in the region \u2013 be they prisoners, displaced persons, families of detainees or other persons requiring aid. ICRC has also held similar events in Afghanistan, Yemen, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n
The Norwegian Refugee Council is currently working in 24 countries. Regionally, it is supporting over 700,000 people in Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Syria.<\/p>\n