The International Committee of the Red Cross( ICRC) said it would ensure that various treaties of international humanitarian law are first domesticated for implementation in Nigeria.
Mr Rafiullah Qureshi, Deputy Head of Delegation for the International Committee of the Red Cross( ICRC) in Nigeria said this in Abuja on Tuesday during ICRC – ECOWAS annual review meeting.
Qureshi said that they would ensure that the treaties are brought down further as policy awell as standard operating procedures level so that these laws are applicable when the time comes.
According to him, ICRC works with various actors in a country such as Nigeria as well as other countries in the region with the members of the armed forces.
“We work with Ministry of Justice officials, organisations such as ECOWAS. parliaments, police and other security forces to ensure that these laws are not only understood but are applied.
” So starting from the top tier of the government right down to the ground level where a soldier is taking part in hostilities, we would like to ensure that everyone is aware of their responsibility as per international humanitarian law (IHL),” he said.
Qureshi said that the year 2024 marked the 75th anniversary of the four Geneva Conventions of August, 12, 1949 – the cornerstone of IHL and the 160th anniversary of the very first Geneva Convention of 1864.
According to him, these anniversaries remind them of the international consensus around the idea that even war has its limits and provide an opportunity to reaffirm the importance of IHL for the protection of victims of armed conflicts.
“This year’s annual meeting will therefore be an opportunity to create, without any political narrative, this framework for reflection, exchange of experiences and good practices on strengthening respect for IHL.
” It will also be an opportunity on the eve of the 34th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, for Member States to make strong commitments for the effective implementation of IHL in the ECOWAS region,” he said.
In her speech, Dr Sintiki Tarfa-Ugbe, Director of Humanitarian and Social Affairs of the ECOWAS Commission said that they have worked together sure that the protection of the vulnerable population affected by conflict was achieved.
Tarfa-Ugbe said that had capacity building of members and also created a platform for the member states to meet and exchange best practices.
“As ECOWAS Commission, to really enhance the implementation of the law within the region, we have worked collaboratively with the ICRC and have adopted a regional action plan.
According to her, they use the regional action plan to really support their member states to ensure that there is protection for people that are vulnerable and affected by conflict.
She said that another thing they have been able to do over the years was have enhanced the development of policies and programs.
“For example, in Nigeria, we developed a policy for IDPs in Nigeria, strengthened the National Commission for Refugees and Migrants,” Tarfa-Ugbe said.
Also speaking, Ms Abimbola Ajele, Focal Person for the National Committee for the Implementation of IHL in Nigeria said that there are still gaps in the implementation of IHL.
Ajele said that in Nigeria, most of the treaties have to be domesticated because the country have it as section 12 in the constitution that these treaties would not be operative as legally binding if they are not domesticated.
According to her, a country does not just sign for signing sake.
“So when these treaties are signed and they are domesticated, they are assumed into our law and they become binding on all of us.
“So even citizens, , they are also expected to watch out for either infractions of the provisions of these treaties in the country and then report them. You can report them even to the government,” she said.
