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BY AYIN DREAM D. APLASCA
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LAST weekend, someone from the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) called me and asked if I could be one of their judges for the first ever PRC International Humanitarian Law debate competition. Without hesitation and for the love of debate, I said yes.
This month of August, the PRC is celebrating the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Month. The organization has prepared a series of activities to heighten public awareness and respect for IHL.
What is IHL? Why do we celebrate this?
IHL is a set of rules which seek, for humanitarian reasons, to limit the effects of armed conflict. It protects persons who are not or are no longer participating in the hostilities and restricts the means and methods of warfare.
Usually, it is called IHL. It is also known, however, as the law of war or the law of armed conflict. And as an international law, it is a set of rules generally regarded and accepted as binding in relations between states and between nations. It serves as a framework for the practice of stable and organized international relations.
Main examples of this are the Geneva Convention and the Hague Convention. The former was signed by 16 countries in 1864.
The Geneva Convention is a series of treaties between nations on the treatment of civilians, prisoners of war and soldiers who are otherwise rendered hors de combat, or incapable of fighting. This convention produced a treaty designed to protect wounded and sick soldiers during war time.
IHL is important because it establishes human rules for the conduct of war, as well as the treatment of prisoners and the wounded. Without IHL, for an example, if you are taken prisoner by the enemy, nothing would stop them from mistreating you.
Celebrating the IHL Month will make us revisit the roots and history of PRC. Not only that, but also to become advocates and promoters of the basics of IHL, domestic legislation and provisions of the Geneva Convention. In this way, we help people to have a better understanding about the rules of war.
I suggest you watch the movie “The Battle of Solferino” to better understand the entirety of this matter. Just a glimpse: Red Cross founder Henry Dunant first got his idea to protect the wounded in wartime in the battle of Solferino.
By participating in this kind of celebration, we become more acquainted with and well-informed in international issues.
(Atty. Ayin Dream D. Aplasca practices her profession in Iloilo City. She may be reached thru ayindream.aplasca@gmail.com/PN)
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