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ICRC Regional Delegation Bangkok – Newsletter © ICRC / C.S. 1992 NEWSLETTER V0l.1 issue 2, November 2009 ICRC REGIONAL DELEGATION BANGKOK PROTECTING VICTIMS OF ARMED CONFLICT THROUGH PROMOTION OF Editorial Last August, we celebrated the 60th INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW anniversary of the Geneva Conventions. These treaties, which form the backbone of International humanitarian law is the body To mark the 60th anniversary of the Geneva international humanitarian law, have saved of rules that, in wartime, protects people Conventions, Srinakharinwirot University of countless lives. Unfortunately, violations who are not or no longer participating in the Thailand and the ICRC jointly organized a remain frequent. Better knowledge of the hostilities. Its central purpose is to prevent or seminar on “The relevance of international treaties by all parts of society could help limit human suff ering in times of armed confl ict. humanitarian law and contemporary armed to curtail violations and thereby to reduce The four Geneva Conventions are the principal confl icts.” Experts from Chulalongkhorn suff ering. In this Newsletter, the reader will instruments of humanitarian law. They were University, the ASEAN department of Ministry learn about the ICRC’s eff orts to spread adopted 60 years ago and have now been of foreign aff airs, Ministry of defence, and the knowledge of international humanitarian law endorsed by 194 States. The ICRC is often called ICRC took part in the seminar. They discussed in the region. the “guardian” of international humanitarian law. many of the current challenges of international humanitarian law, such as the “fi ght against This year, the ICRC is also looking back on 30 In a speech given in London on the occasion of terrorism,” the proliferation of non-State years of continuous activities in Cambodia, the 60th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions, armed groups and the emergence of new which experienced war almost without ICRC Vice-President Christine Beerli declared actors such as private military and security interruption from 1970 to 1999. We review that: “In terms of dissemination, increased companies, and emerging threats linked to new the ICRC’s main activities in the country since knowledge of international humanitarian law technological developments with potentially 1979, from the initial emergency assistance is clearly a prerequisite to better respect for devastating humanitarian consequences. to the current emphasis on capacity building the law. To this end, members of the armed They acknowledged the need to develop new and providing support for institutions. forces at all levels must be properly trained in treaties. However, they argued that the main the application of the law. Civilians too should challenge, now as ever, is to spread knowledge Also in this Newsletter, you will fi nd a have at least a basic understanding of those of and promote compliance with the existing report on a project carried out jointly by parts of international humanitarian law which rules. Professor Vitit Muntarbhorn pointed the Lao Red Cross and the ICRC, which are could aff ect them in the event of armed confl ict. out that “humanitarian law should be the working together to address basic needs of Young people in secondary level education business of everyone. An integrated approach vulnerable minorities. should be targeted, as for example through is needed in order to change people’s attitudes the Exploring Humanitarian Law initiative, an and behaviour towards humanitarian issues. education programme which introduces them Outreach to power groups and community to the basic rules and principles of international leaders is a must.” humanitarian law.” Ninety-four representatives from the Christian Brunner Thai armed forces, the police, non- Head of Regional Delegation Bangkok governmental organizations as well as lecturers and students from various © ICRC / KC 2009 universities attended the event. From left to right: Dr.Toni Pfanner, editor-in-chief of the International Review of the Red Cross, Dr.Vitit Muntarbhorn, professor of international law at Chulalongkorn University, and Veenarat Laohapakakul, editor at Nation Broadcasting Cooperation. NEW THAI RED CROSS MASTER TRAINERS RECEIVE CERTIFICATION © TRC 2009 On 25 August 2009, a ceremony was organized Between November 2008 and September 2009, by the Thai Red Cross to award certifi cates to the trainers disseminated these topics to 1,220 16 new master trainers. The certifi cates were Thai Red Cross staff during fi ve sessions in presented by the secretary-general of the Thai Bangkok and in the provinces. Until the end of Red Cross, Khun Phan Wannamethee, in the 2009, more sessions will be organized for about presence of representatives of the International 450 staff . International Federation and ICRC Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent resource persons attend the sessions. Societies and the ICRC. Khun Pitchaya Sutheeveerakachon is one of Khun Pitchaya Sutheeveerakachon The programme for Thai Red Cross trainers was the new master trainers. She works as a health receiving her master-trainer certifi cate launched in October 2008 by the International instructor at the First-Aid and Health-Care from the Thai Red Cross secretary-general. Federation and the ICRC. The participants Training Centre of the Thai Red Cross. She had attended a four-day introductory course on never before received such training. “I wish we communication skills and topics related to could have more training of trainers so that we the International Red Cross and Red Crescent could expand the pool of disseminators within what to do or how to deal with misuse of the Movement, international humanitarian law and the Thai Red Cross,” she said. “Even though red cross emblem. If we all truly understood the international activities of the Red Cross in times we work in the Red Cross, we may not truly origin of our organization, our commitment to it of confl ict or of major disaster. understand the seven Fundamental Principles, would be even stronger.” HUMANITARIAN LAW FOR YOUNG PEOPLE In September 2009, the permanent secretary how international humanitarian law aims to programme will be introduced into classrooms of the Ministry of Education, the Thai Red Cross protect life and human dignity during armed next year. and the ICRC signed an agreement to introduce confl ict and to prevent or reduce the suff ering basic elements of international humanitarian and devastation caused by war. Khun Manida Chotivanich, acting director of law and related issues into the Thai Red Cross the Thai Red Cross youth bureau said: “We hope youth curriculum. Exploring Humanitarian The Thai Red Cross youth bureau has been that this programme will help teachers to better Law, an international education programme associated with the development of the disseminate international humanitarian law to specifi cally designed for young people between Exploring Humanitarian Law programme since our young Thai, and make them aware of the the ages of 13 and 18, will be used. The primary 2000. Tests were organized in selected Thai importance of humanity.” goal of Exploring Humanitarian Law is to secondary schools in 2007 and the programme help young people embrace the principles of was adapted to the Thai context. Once the The Exploring Humanitarian Law programme is humanity in their daily lives and in the way teaching materials have been translated into currently being implemented at various stages they assess events at home and abroad. The Thai, a national workshop will be organized for of advancement in 90 countries around the learning materials, which are based on both education ministry offi cials, Thai Red Cross staff world. historical and contemporary situations, show and selected secondary-school teachers. The © TRC 2009 Chinnapat Bhumirat, permanent secretary of the Thai education ministry, discussing the Exploring Humanitarian Law education programme with Khun Manida and colleagues from the Thai Red Cross and the ICRC. TRAINING THE ARMED FORCES IN INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW Over the years, the ICRC has developed a Brunner, head of the ICRC’s regional delegation working relationship with nearly all armed in Bangkok. In his remarks to the participants, forces around the world in order to promote Lt Gen Wattanakul said: “The objective of the international humanitarian law. It has developed instructor’s course in international humanitarian training tools and participates in workshops and law, sponsored by the ICRC, is to train each seminars for offi cers in charge of instructing the and every one of you to present the basics of troops in international humanitarian law. international humanitarian law at your training institutions by applying the knowledge and 2009 © RTAF In the framework of this cooperation, the skills you will acquire during the course.” ICRC provided support for the International Christian Brunner, head of the ICRC’s regional Humanitarian Law Instructor Training course From 20 to 24 October, at the request delegation in Bangkok, presenting a poster on in August 2009 for Royal Thai Armed Forces of Viet Nam’s Peoples Army, the ICRC international humanitarian law to Gen Sayan instructors. Thirty offi cers underwent training organized a training course on international organized and delivered jointly by the Athakasem, deputy judge advocate general humanitarian law for 25 military instructors department of the judge advocate general of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, at the closing of th defence ministry and the ICRC regional from every major training institution of the ceremony of the International Humanitarian People’s Army. The one-week course, which delegation. Law Instructor Training course. The jointly was arranged by the army’s general political developed poster illustrating main rules of The course was opened jointly by Lt Gen Piyapol aff airs department, was held in Dalat, in the Wattanakul, deputy judge advocate general of southern part of the country. international humanitarian law will be placed the Royal Thai Armed Forces, and by Christian on display at prominent armed forces sites. Helping school children PROVIDING CLEAN WATER in southern Thailand FOR LAO VILLAGERS © ICRC 2009 Laos is an ethnically diverse country.
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