ON AUGUST 27, 2022, the championship round took place between two finalists in the 4th International Humanitarian Law Debate Series organized by the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) – Iloilo Chapter.
PRC – Iloilo Chapter once again invited and asked me if I could be one of their judges. Without hesitation and for the love of debate, I said yes.
The Philippine Red Cross, together with its partners worldwide, celebrated International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Month last August.
The theme for this year’s celebration is “Upholding IHL as We Recover from the Pandemic: Bayanihan to Reduce the Suffering in Armed Conflict Toward Advancing the Gains of Peace and Reconciliation.”
The organization prepared a series of activities to heighten public awareness and respect for IHL. One of these is the 4th International Humanitarian Law Inter-school Debate Series. This aims to promote and disseminate the IHL to the youth and the society at large organized by the Iloilo Chapter together with the Commission on Human Rights – Region VI, with partners from The Parliament, the University of San Agustin – Law Debate Organization, and SM City – Iloilo.
What is IHL? Why do we celebrate this?
The 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. 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.
The main examples of these are the Geneva Convention and the Hague Conventions. The former was signed by 16 countries in 1864.
The Geneva Conventions are a series of treaties, 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 wartime.
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 example, if you are taken prisoner by the enemy, there would be nothing to stop them from mistreating you.
Celebrating IHL Month will make us revisit the roots and history of the Red Cross. Not only that but also to become advocates and promoters of the basics of IHL, domestic legislation, and provisions of the Geneva Conventions. In this way, we help people to have a better understanding of the rules of war.
I always suggest watching the movie The Battle of Solferino to better understand the entirety of this matter. Just a glimpse: The Red Cross founder Henry Dunant first got his idea to protect the wounded in wartime in the battle of Solferino.
Being able to participate in this kind of celebration, we become more acquainted with and well-informed in international issues.
In this article, I would like to express my appreciation to the organization for having me again as part of the celebration. Likewise, I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to Alimodian National Comprehensive High School for being the champion of this year’s debate series./PN
