The ICRC from March 8-10 coordinated the Fifth South Asian Conference on International Humanitarian Law (IHL) with the Government of Nepal in Kathmandu. The conference, which was themed ‘Sexual Violence and Armed Conflict’, brought together about 40 senior government officials, members of the armed forces and police, academics and ICRC experts from the South Asian region and from Iran. The aim was to provide the participants a platform to share information on steps taken by the States to implement IHL in the context of sexual violence in armed conflict and discuss the challenges they face. The meet also evaluated the needs of women and children in conflicts and post-conflict situations and discussed ways to address them. Here are some snapshots from the event.
Mr Anura Meddegoda from Sri Lanka presents his views during a session on ‘International Law towards Sexual Violence: Jurisprudence from Nuremberg to Rome’. ©ICRC/Bijay Rai
An overview of one of the sessions at the 5th South Asian Conference on International Humanitarian Law. ©ICRC/Bijay Rai
Mr Nazar Hussain, a delegate from Pakistan, introduces himself at the conference. ©ICRC/Bijay Rai
Ms Dragana Kojic, Head of Delegation, ICRC Kathmandu, makes the welcome remarks at the opening ceremony on 8 April 2014. ©ICRC/Bijay Rai
Mr Mahendra Bahadur Pandey, Foreign Affairs Minister of Nepal, talks to Professor Mohsen Mohebi of Iran's Azad University after the concluding session. ©ICRC/Bijay Rai
The chief guest of the closing ceremony, Mr Mahendra Bahadur Pandey, Foreign Affairs Minister of Nepal, gifts a souvenir to one of the participants. ©ICRC/Bijay Rai
ICRC legal advisers from the region (last row) at the conference. ©ICRC/Bijay Rai
ICRC officials hold a bilateral meeting with government representatives from Pakistan. ©ICRC/Bijay Rai
Government representatives from Afghanistan in a bilateral meeting with an ICRC official (R). ©ICRC/Bijay Rai
Former Attorney General of Nepal Mr Yubaraj Sangroula chairs the panel discussion. ICRC legal advisers Mr Jamie Williamson from Geneva (L) and Mr Charles Sabga from Delhi (R). ©ICRC/Bijay Rai
Participants listen to a speaker during one of the sessions. ©ICRC/Bijay Rai
A photograph of the delegates who participated in the conference. ©ICRC/Bijay Rai
Excellent work@ICRC Regional delegation in New Delhi
Dear Sami, thanks for the encouragement. Looking forward to contributions from Peshawar.