Ministry of Foreign Affairs to host IHL Meeting

  

International Committee of the Red Cross

ICRC News Release

28 August 2012

Tanzania: Government Oficials discuss implementation of International Humanitarian Law

Dar es Salaam (ICRC) – Tanzanian government officials are to attend a seminar on the national implementation of international humanitarian law in Dar es Salaam. The Tanzanian ministry of foreign affairs and international cooperation will host 20 officials on 29 August 2012 at the Coral Beach Hotel, with organisation in the hands of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Tanzania Red Cross Society (TRCS).

"The seminar demonstrates the Tanzanian government’s commitment to ensure that IHL is known and implemented in Tanzania," explained Christoph Luedi, head of the ICRC’s regional delegation in Nairobi. “The ICRC welcomes this sign of commitment on the part of the Tanzanian authorities.”

The seminar will provide guidance to government bodies such as the Public Service Management and Prime Minister’s offices and the Ministries of Defence and National Service, Home Affairs, Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Information, Youth, Culture and Sports, Education and Vocational Training, Community Development, Gender and Children, Health and Social Welfare, Social Justice, and Communication, Science and Technology, which are responsible for implementing IHL in the country. Topics will include ratifying, implementing and promoting IHL treaties and the impact of IHL in today's world. It will be opened by Tanzanian deputy minister of justice and constitutional affairs, Hon. Angela Kairuki (MP). Christoph Luedi and the TRCS vice chairperson, Ms Zainabu Gama will officiate the occasion.

For some time now, the ICRC has been supporting Tanzania’s efforts to promote and implement IHL through national legislation. International humanitarian law aims to limit the effects of armed conflict on humanitarian grounds, and Tanzania has already demonstrated its commitment to this ideal by signing up to the Geneva Conventions and their additional protocols, along with other treaties that regulate weapons of war and provide protection for people during conflicts.

For further information, please contact:
Lynette Mukuhi, ICRC Nairobi, tel: +254 733 660076
Martha Kassele, ICRC Dar es Salaam, tel: +255 782 099383
or visit www.icrc.org