ICRC Regional Delegation Bangkok – Newsletter

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NEWSLETTER ICRC REGIONALDELEGATION BANGKOK humanitarian law.” to thebasic rulesandprinciplesofinternational education programme whichintroduces them the ExploringHumanitarianLaw initiative, an should betargeted, asfor examplethrough Young level education peopleinsecondary could aff themintheevent ofarmed ect confl ofinternational humanitarianlaw which parts have atleastabasicunderstandingofthose the applicationoflaw. Civilianstoo should forces atalllevels mustbeproperly trainedin the law. To thisend, membersofthearmed is clearlyaprerequisite to better for respect ofinternational humanitarianlawknowledge that: terms ofdissemination,increased“In ICRC Vice-President ChristineBeerlideclared oftheGenevaConventions,the 60thanniversary aspeechgivenIn inLondon ontheoccasion of the “guardian” ofinternational humanitarianlaw. endorsed by 194States. The called ICRCisoften adopted 60years agoandhave now been instruments ofhumanitarianlaw. They were The four GenevaConventions are theprincipal limit humansuff centralhostilities. purposeisto prevent Its or inthe who are notornolongerparticipating protects people of rulesthat,inwartime, International humanitarianlaw isthebody INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW CONFLICT THROUGHPROMOTIONOF PROTECTING VICTIMSOFARMED © ICRC / KC 2009

ering intimesofarmedconfl ict. ict. ict. ict. leaders isamust.” Outreach to power groups andcommunity and behaviour towards humanitarian issues. is neededinorder to changepeople’s attitudes business ofeveryone. Anintegrated approach out that law“humanitarian shouldbethe rules. Professor Vitit Muntarbhornpointed of andpromote compliance withtheexisting challenge, now asever, isto spread knowledge treaties. However, theyargued thatthemain theneed toThey develop acknowledged new devastating humanitarianconsequences. technological developments withpotentially companies, andemerging threats linkedto new andsecurity suchasprivate military actors armed groups andtheemergence ofnew terrorism,” theproliferation ofnon-State humanitarian law, suchasthe “fi many ofthecurrent challengesofinternational intheseminar.ICRC took part They discussed of foreign aff ofdefence,Ministry airs, andthe University, ofMinistry theASEAN department confl armed humanitarian law andcontemporary seminar on relevance ofinternational “The Thailand andtheICRCjointlyorganized a Conventions, Srinakharinwirot University of To oftheGeneva markthe60thanniversary icts.” from Chulalongkhorn Experts universities attended theevent. andstudentsfromas lecturers various governmental organizations aswell Thai armedforces, thepolice, non- representativesNinety-four from the Laohapakakul, editoratNation Broadcasting Cooperation. international lawatChulalongkorn University, and Veenarat Review oftheRedCross, Dr.Vitit Muntarbhorn,professor of From toright:Dr.Toni left Pfanner, oftheInternational editor-in-chief ght against HeadofRegional Delegation Bangkok Christian Brunner vulnerable minorities. together toworking address basicneedsof the LaoRedCross andtheICRC,whichare carriedoutjointlyby onaproject report Also inthisNewsletter, you willfi forand providing institutions. support to thecurrent building emphasisoncapacity 1979, fromassistance theinitialemergency the ICRC’s since inthecountry mainactivities interruption from 1970to 1999. We review which experienced waralmostwithout years inCambodia, ofcontinuous activities This year, backon30 theICRCisalsolooking in theregion. ofinternational humanitarianlawknowledge learn abouttheICRC’s eff suff violationsandthereby toto reduce curtail could help ofsociety treaties by allparts remain frequent. ofthe Better knowledge countless lives. Unfortunately, violations international humanitarianlaw, have saved These treaties, of whichform thebackbone oftheGenevaConventions.anniversary Last August, we celebrated the60th Editorial ering. thisNewsletter, In the reader will V0l.1 issue2,November 2009 orts to spread orts nd a

HUMANITARIAN LAW FORYOUNGPEOPLE of confl orofmajordisaster. ict oftheRedCrossinternational intimes activities Movement, international humanitarianlaw and the InternationalRedCross andRedCrescent andtopics relatedcommunication skills to course on attended afour-day introductory Federation andtheICRC. The participants 2008bylaunched inOctober theInternational The programme for Thai RedCross trainerswas andtheICRC. Societies Federation ofRedCross andRedCrescent presence ofrepresentatives oftheInternational Red Cross, Phan Khun Wannamethee, inthe ofthe presented by thesecretary-general Thai 16 newmaster trainers. The certifi by the Thai RedCross to award certifi On 25August 2009,aceremony wasorganized TRAINERS RECEIVECERTIFICATION NEW THAIREDCROSSMASTER historical and contemporary situations,historical show andcontemporary learning materials, whichare basedonboth they assessevents athomeandabroad. The intheirdailyliveshumanity andintheway help young peopleembrace theprinciplesof goal ofExploringHumanitarianLaw isto the agesof13and18,willbeused. The primary specifi callydesigned for young peoplebetween Law, aninternational education programme youth curriculum.ExploringHumanitarian law andrelated issuesinto the Thai RedCross basic elementsofinternational humanitarian and theICRCsigned anagreement to introduce ofEducation,the of theMinistry Thai RedCross September2009,thepermanentsecretary In Khun Manida andcolleaguesKhun from theThaiRedCross andtheICRC. discussing theExploring HumanitarianLaweducation programme with Chinnapat Bhumirat, oftheThaieducation permanentsecretary ministry, cates were cates to understand theseven Fundamental Principles, we work intheRedCross, we may nottruly the Thai RedCross,” shesaid. “Even though could expandthepoolofdisseminators within could have more trainingoftrainerssothatwe never before received suchtraining. “I wishwe Training Centre ofthe Thai RedCross. Shehad attheFirst-Aidinstructor andHealth-Care the newmaster trainers. Sheworks asahealth PitchayaKhun isoneof Sutheeveerakachon resource personsattend thesessions. 450 staff 2009, more sessionswillbeorganized for about Bangkok andintheprovinces. Untiltheendof Thai RedCross staff the trainersdisseminated thesetopics to 1,220 Between November 2008andSeptember2009, confl protect life duringarmed andhumandignity how international humanitarianlaw aimsto education ministry offi education ministry Thai, anationalworkshop willbeorganized for teaching materials have beentranslated into was adapted to the Thai Once context. the schoolsin2007andtheprogramme secondary 2000. Tests were organized inselected Thai Exploring HumanitarianLaw programme since associated withthedevelopment ofthe The Thai RedCross youth bureau hasbeen and devastationcausedby war. and selected secondary-school teachers. secondary-school and selected The ict andto preventict orreduce thesuff . InternationalFederation andICRC duringfi cials, Thai RedCross staff ve sessionsin ering

would beeven stronger.” origin ofourorganization, ourcommitment to it red crosswe emblem.If alltrulyunderstood the what to doorhow to dealwithmisuseofthe world. of advancement in90countries around the currently beingimplemented atvariousstages The ExploringHumanitarianLaw programme is ofhumanity.”importance our young Thai, andmakethemaware ofthe disseminate international humanitarianlaw to that thisprogramme willhelpteachers to better the Thai RedCross youth bureau said: “We hope director of Chotivanich, acting Manida Khun year.next programme willbeintroduced into classrooms from theThaiRedCross secretary-general. receiving hermaster-trainer certifi cate PitchayaKhun Sutheeveerakachon

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. Minorities vulnerable communities. Supported by partner live mainly in remote and isolated mountainous National Red Cross Societies, the International areas inaccessible by road. They have limited Federation and the ICRC, it covers the basic opportunities for economic development. The needs, such as water, sanitation and primary Lao Red Cross endeavours to assist the most health care.

After conducting the need assessment survey in early 2008, the Lao Red Cross set out, with ICRC support, to assist 800 vulnerable families in fi ve Children in makeshift school. Distribution villages in the Muang and Xanakham districts of of materials. Vientiane province. With the technical assistance of district health and water staff , the aim was Last August, the primary school of Ban to design and implement water supply systems Tanyong in the province of Narathiwat was and pour-fl ush latrines, and train Red Cross burnt down completely. Fortunately, there volunteers for community-based promotion of were no casualties as the children had just left fi rst aid and hygiene. In October 2009, the Lao the school to go for lunch, but all the books, Red Cross organized a fi nal fi eld visit together computers and furniture were reduced to ashes. with the ICRC water engineer before handing over the project to local communities to make “It was during the day, at noon,” said a young sure that villagers understood how to perform girl. “We were leaving the school and boarding proper maintenance, as water quality – and the the school bus to go home when we saw the villagers’ health – depends on it. building catch fi re all of a sudden. The fl ames were very big and the smoke was very dark.” “We believe that if assistance is provided too Another section of the school had burnt down easily, villagers sometimes take it for granted,” one year before. The children said that that was said Phonekham Keovilay, who has worked with why they were not afraid – in a way, they were the Lao Red Cross for eight years. “Therefore, “used to it.” we encourage long-term development by promoting active participation from the A total of 250 primary-school children are villagers. When they are in charge of the project enrolled in the school. Without waiting for the themselves, they tend to value it more.” schoolhouse planned by the education ministry

© ICRC / Duang-ramon P. 2009 © ICRC / Duang-ramon P. to be built, the villagers set up makeshift “Before this pump was built, I had to walk 300 classrooms with wooden benches and tables An ICRC water engineer insists on the metres to the river to fetch water that was not so that the school could continue to function. importance of proper use and maintenance of always clean,” said Nan, a 26-year-old mother On 23 September, following discussions with new equipment. from Non Nakab village. “Now I can do my the authorities, the ICRC distributed geometry washing here. It saves time for my family and sets, whiteboards with markers and erasers, me. All we need to do is take turns looking after notebooks, drawing books, pens, pencils, the well and keeping things clean.” rubbers and some sport equipment to the school.

LOOKING BACK ON 30 YEARS OF

The Cambodian people experienced war, deadly in Phnom Penh and in the provinces. ICRC political clashes and other violence almost delegates visited people detained in connection continuously from 1969 to 1999. Hundreds of with the confl ict and worked to restore contact thousands of people lost their lives and millions between people who had been separated from were forced to leave their homes. The confl ict one another. In 1999, when peace had fi nally devastated the country and large areas were been restored throughout the country and the turned into deadly mine fi elds. last refugees had returned from Thailand, the ICRC gradually began to hand over responsibility The ICRC carried out humanitarian activities in for many activities to the Cambodian Red Cross Cambodia from 1970 to 1975, but had to leave and government institutions. the country during the rule of the Khmer Rouge. However, as in most confl icts, people’s needs In January 1979, Vietnamese troops drove the did not cease to exist from one day to the next. Khmer Rouge from Phnom Penh and large Many families remained dispersed. People swaths of the country. The war continued to continued to suff er mine injuries. Amputees rage on, however, with tens of thousands of needed aff ordable prostheses. Government families fl eeing their homes and seeking refuge institutions lacked the resources and know-how elsewhere. After intensive negotiations with required to meet the needs of the people after the new authorities in Cambodia, the ICRC decades of war. The ICRC therefore remained and UNICEF launched a massive emergency in the country. Its activities now focus on operation in August 1979. By the end of 1980, strengthening the capacities of the Cambodian the ICRC and UNICEF had delivered 250,000 Red Cross and the authorities in fi elds such as in the country in 1979, will hand over to the metric tonnes of food. In agreement with the physical rehabilitation, and tracing and reuniting Cambodian Red Cross a digital version of Thai authorities, the ICRC also stepped up family members, in order to improve services the ICRC archives relating to refugees and its activities in the camps along the border available to needy people. their families who were separated during between Thailand and Cambodia. the confl ict. A photo exhibition will retrace The ICRC will commemorate 30 years of 30 years of activities, from emergency relief After the emergency operation ended, the continuous activities in Cambodia – from 1979 to the aid provided to the Cambodian ICRC continued to provide assistance for the to 2009 – at various events to be held in Phnom Red Cross and institutions such as the Cambodian people and institutions. Together Penh from 14 to 16 December. ICRC Vice- Ministry of Social Aff airs, Veterans and with Red Cross societies from a number of President Christine Beerli and François Bugnion, Youth Rehabilitation and the Ministry of the countries, it supported medical facilities the delegate who restarted the ICRC’s activities Interior.

MISSION STATEMENT

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is an impartial, neutral and independent organization whose exclusively humanitarian mission is to protect the lives and dignity of victims of war and internal violence and to provide them with assistance. It directs and coordinates the international relief activities conducted by the Movement in situations of confl ict. It also endeavours to prevent suff ering by promoting and strengthening humanitarian law and universal humanitarian principles. Established in 1863, the ICRC is at the origin of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

Offi ce Addresses Bangkok Chiang Mai Offi ce International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Regional Delegation Bangkok 36 Sirimankhlajarn Road, Soi 11 20 Sukhumvit Soi 4, Klongtoey Suthep, Muang Bangkok 10110, Thailand Chiang Mai 50200 Tel: +66 2 2510424 Tel / Fax : +66 53 213918 Fax: +66 2 2535428 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Website: www.icrc.org

Phnom Penh Offi ce Ho Chi Minh Offi ce House 18, Street 500, Sangkat Psar Deum Tkao, c/o 70 Ba Huyen Thanh Quan St Khan Chamcar Mon Phnom Penh District 3, Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam Tel: +855 23 726690 Tel: +84 8 39325452 Fax: +855 23 997780 Fax: +84 8 39322124 Email: phnom_penh_offi [email protected] Email: [email protected] www.ourworld-yourmove.org For further information/comments please contact Email: [email protected] T2009.105/002 1,000