Malawi is making significant progress in its implementation of International Humanitarian Law (IHL).
Brigadier General Dan Kuwali, Chairperson of the National International Humanitarian Law Committee (NIHLC), disclosed the development during a training workshop on the implementation of IHL in Malawi.
Brigadier General Kuwali stated that Malawi is a party to the Geneva Conventions and has established an inter-agency National Committee on International Humanitarian Law to oversee the implementation of the law.
“The training has come at the right time. What the law stipulates is that in armed conflicts or other conflicts, civilians, wounded soldiers, and non-combatants should be treated well to save their lives. We want our members to understand when and how international law applies in international armed conflicts. If they are well-prepared, it means they will handle themselves professionally wherever they might be deployed for duty,” said Brigadier General Kuwali.
He expressed gratitude to the Malawi Red Cross Society (MRCS) for their generous support in organising the training workshop, which is the first of its kind in Malawi.
Chifundo Kalulu, Secretary General of MRCS, highlighted the critical role of his organisation both locally and internationally during conflicts.
“It’s very important to train people in Humanitarian Law because it seeks to protect civilians during war. Our troops are sent to various peacekeeping missions, so it’s crucial that they are well trained to know how to treat victims of war in compliance with international law to avoid war crimes,” said Kalulu.
The NIHLC members are drawn from the Malawi Defence Force, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Justice, the Malawi Police Service, MRCS, and other stakeholders.
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