Mr.
Chairman,
Hon'ble
Advisor for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Distinguished
Guests,
Ladies
and Gentlemen,
I
am pleased to have the opportunity to say a few words before this august gathering.
I must thank BIISS and the ICRC for organizing this important workshop.
Ladies and
Gentlemen,
The
devastation caused by the two World Wars and particularly the immeasurable sufferings
of the civilian population during the Wars created a huge public opinion in favour
of laying down some principles to protect the civilians and the injured during
armed conflicts. As a result, the Geneva Diplomatic Conference was held in 1949.
The 1949 Geneva Conference adopted four crucial International Conventions relating
to the protection of victims of war. These Conventions are based on fundamental
and universal values. These are also known as the law of war. The Geneva Conventions
have since been supplemented by two Additional Protocols. Together, they constitute
the principal source of international humanitarian law.
As
we are all aware, the main objective of the Geneva Conventions is to save human
lives during war, to protect those who are not taking part in hostilities, to
guarantee a minimum of humanity and charity in situations of barbarity. These
Conventions also deal with the conduct of hostilities, combatant and prisoner
of war status.
The
International Committee of the Red Cross/Crescent (ICRC) created by the provisions
of the Geneva Conventions provides crucial humanitarian assistance to the people
during the wars and conflicts. It is a Treaty organisation that has widest acceptance.
It has an international legal standing in the promotion and enforcement of International
Humanitarian Law (IHL) in times of armed conflicts. As the organization is acceptable
to the parties to a conflict, they can discharge the onerous responsibilities
without fear and with compassion and neutrality.
On
the other, the national Red Cross/Crescent societies are the humanitarian auxiliary
of their Governments. They work hand in hand with the ICRC in implementing the
provisions of the Geneva Conventions. In times of peace, they help their Governments
to disseminate knowledge of IHL among military as well as civilian sectors of
population. They also help in relief operations for victims of natural disasters,
disaster preparedness, medical services etc.
Mr.
Chairman,
The
Geneva Conventions are instruments to defend human dignity and to protect individuals
whether civilians or combatants, prisoners of war or the wounded. Unfortunately
the last half century has seen proliferation of regional and internal conflicts,
where the rules of the Geneva Conventions were too often violated. However, there
is always a tremendous international pressure on the warring parties to comply
with their obligations and apply the letter and the spirit of the Geneva Convention.
The
main responsibility for achieving the humanitarian goals of the Conventions lies
with the states. By signing and ratifying the Geneva Conventions states have committed
to respect their provisions. They need to fulfill their obligations.
The
ICRC has built a relationship of mutual confidence and a tradition of co-operation
with Bangladesh from the early days of our War of Liberation in 1971. The relationship
has been further strengthened over the years. Some of us may remember, the then
Hotel Intercontinental was declared neutral zone as the headquarters of the ICRC
in Bangladesh during the war of Liberation. Huge relief operations were organized,
separated families could re-establish contacts and prisoners of war were visited
by ICRC delegates and repatriated after the war.
Distinguish
Guests,
Bangladesh
has acceded to all the four Geneva Conventions of 1949. We have also acceded to
the two additional Protocols. Bangladesh is the first country in this region to
ratify the two additional protocols of the Geneva Conventions.
As
a state party to the Geneva Conventions, Bangladesh is committed to implement
the provisions of these Conventions and their Protocols. An ICRC local office
in Dhaka has already been established. Bangladesh and its National Society, the
BDRCS, are working closely with the ICRC in implementing the objectives of the
Geneva Conventions. The Bangladesh Red Crescent Society is a strong national body
providing vital services to the most vulnerable in times of disasters and carrying
out health care and welfare programmes.
You
will be happy to know that drafting of our national legislation on the Geneva
Conventions for effective implementation of those instruments are underway. I
hope today’s’ workshop will add new impetus to the over all progress
in finalizing the legislation shortly. With this note of optimism I wish this
Seminar all success.
I
thank you all.
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