Take advantage of local experts on International Humanitarian Law
Friday, September 25, 2009International Humanitarian Law is everyone’s concern. In a world where millions of people encounter warfare and daily civil strife, International Humanitarian Law (IHL) provides a framework for protection for civilians and combatants alike.
The conduct for warfare as embodied by this special law is laid out in the 1949 Geneva Conventions.
A LOCAL EXPERT
Harley Jones, Central Illinois Chapter emergency services director, recently attended an exclusive International Humanitarian Law course at the University of Ottawa, Canada.
As an invitee, his learning experience was covered by the International Committee of the Red Cross. This was a tremendous privilege, as the summer course was mainly limited to Canadians.
Jones’ attendance also was a major coup for central Illinois. Your local Red Cross is happy to teach the community we serve about humanitarian principles.
DELVING DEEPER
Officially, IHL is a set of rules which seeks to limit the effect of armed conflicts. It protects persons who are not, or who are no longer, participating in hostilities. It restricts the means and methods of warfare. According to IHL, attacks may be made solely against military targets.
But what defines an armed conflict? What kinds of conflict fall under IHL? When can IHL be invoked? For those navigating this thorny realm, the Ottawa experience was revelatory.
Jones joined experts from all over the globe in dissecting case studies, figuring whether and how the Geneva Conventions would apply in certain armed conflicts. They talked about the legal status of combatants and the distinction between combatants and civilians.
They also touched on current events, including:
- The status of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba;
- Israeli/Palestinian tension over the Gaza Strip;
- The war in Afghanistan;
- The 2008 conflict involving South Ossetia, Georgia and Russia.
Jones met fascinating professionals — from reporters who’d been embedded in Afghanistan … to an Amnesty International representative … to Red Cross workers who’d helped in restive areas.
He also met an expert who’d visited Ali Saleh Kahlah al-Marri during the alleged al-Qaida sleeper agent’s detention at a naval brig. Al-Marri had been designated an “enemy combatant.” This case captured local interest, as the Qatari national had been studying at Bradley University; also, his federal trial was held earlier this year in central Illinois.
TIME TO LEARN
Your local Red Cross is proud to offer IHL introductory courses at:
- The Central Illinois Chapter offices
- Bradley University and the University of Illinois, available through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
- Illinois State University
Additionally, instructors Jones, Bob Wiltz, Ph.D., and Nancy Gilbert-Gulczynski will teach your community group upon request. In August, for example, Wiltz taught IHL to military family members at the 182nd Illinois Air National Guard base in Bartonville.
Tapping the special insight he gained, Jones will improve these local classes, which cover the basics of the Geneva Conventions and the Red Cross’ role in armed conflicts. Jones also is eager to use his special training by conducting a study group at Bradley.
“I walked out with a whole bunch of tools to use,” the Washington man said.
Indeed, current global events prove that IHL remains a timely topic 60 years after the Geneva Conventions.
*For more information or to request a class for your group, call Harley Jones at (309) 677-7272, Ext. 204. E-mail Harley
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