By Ikome Eposi
Pointing out challenges, seeking recommendations to ameliorate and harmonise their lecturing approach, International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Lecturers of the Faculty of Law and Political Science, University of Buea and Bamenda have evaluated the lecture of IHL in a context of increasing complexity of armed conflicts.
Trained by the International Committee of the Red Cross, (ICRC), the training session which commenced on Wednesday, June 19, 2024 at the boardroom of the Faculty of Education, University of Buea, was an opportunity for the lecturers to be provided with a conducive framework for discussing the challenges facing IHL and for thinking about ways forward.
They equally used the platform to highlight emerging humanitarian issues, propose new ideas and solutions to address them as well as provide constructive analysis to improve legal and humanitarian responses. The participants were trained on the various aspects of IHL, protection of civilians and civilian objects in times of armed conflicts, international criminal justice and the fight against impunity for serious violation of international humanitarian law amongst other topics.
In her opening speech, the Head of ICRC, Buea Sub-delegation, Sabrina Frutig noted that the ICRC is a neutral, independent and impartial institution with an exclusively humanitarian mission. “The ICRC provided protection and assistance to victims of armed conflicts and other situations of violence. A globalised and closely interdependent world cannot exist without common values shared by all. The universally recognised principles of human rights and international humanitarian law form part of these common values”.
Frutig added that in this regard, the academia has a major role to play. “It makes an essential contribution to the legal and humanitarian debate, helping shape laws and policies that comply with the law. It also advises government on how to tackle humanitarian and security issues in line with the existing legal framework and humanitarian policies and raises the awareness among civil society through the media and public conferences”.
Outlining the importance of promoting the teaching of IHL as well as the difficulties faced and perspectives for addressing them, the Dean of the Faculty of Laws and Political Science, UB, Professor Atangcho Nji Akonumbo said “Promoting the teaching of IHL is important to increase the understanding of IHL and its respect. Such understanding can best be achieved through training. Teaching IHL is important to understand why the effects of conflicts need to be limited”.
Talking to the press after the launch of the training, the HoSD ICRC Buea, Sabrina Frutig said “With the donation of books, we are hoping to support the library with the teaching of IHL here at the Faculty of Law and Political Science. We’re hoping that the lecturers as well as the students can get access to more information, teaching materials that will enrich the teaching and the study of IHL”.
About ICRC
Founded in 1863, the ICRC is at the origin of the Geneva Conventions and of the International Red Cross and Res Crescent Movement, whose international activities in armed conflicts and other situations of violence it directs and coordinates. ICRC’s actions are aimed at protecting the lives, health and dignity of people affected by violence. In doing so, they take a holistic, integrated approach in which three distinct areas of action; Protection, Assistance and Prevention are closely interlinked.