In Doha, Qatar, the National Committee for International Humanitarian Law at the Ministry of Justice, in collaboration with the Jordanian National Committee for International Humanitarian Law, recently organized a joint symposium on medical services in times of armed conflicts. The symposium highlighted the importance of medical services during armed conflicts and discussed the explicit rules in international humanitarian law that protect access to healthcare services in such situations.
During the symposium, the participants reviewed the regulations that oblige states and armed groups to respect and protect individuals involved in medical missions. The Undersecretary of Ministry of Justice and Chairperson of the National Committee for International Humanitarian Law, H E Sultan bin Abdullah Al Suwaidi, welcomed high-level officials and delegates from various organizations, including the President of the Moroccan National Committee on International Humanitarian Law and the Head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Delegation in Qatar.
Al Suwaidi emphasized that the joint symposium was organized in accordance with a memorandum of understanding signed between the National Committee for International Humanitarian Law and its Jordanian counterpart. He highlighted the importance of the explicit rules in international humanitarian law that protect access to healthcare services during armed conflicts and the obligation of parties involved in conflicts to respect and protect medical units and personnel.
One of the key points discussed during the symposium was the need for parties involved in armed conflicts to take necessary measures to protect medical units from attacks and to avoid harming medical personnel or damaging medical units and transport. Al Suwaidi emphasized the noble and humanitarian role of medical workers who risk their lives to provide essential services during times of crisis. The recommendations from the symposium will be translated into practical plans and programmes to improve medical services in times of armed conflicts.
Overall, the symposium highlighted the critical role of medical services in times of armed conflicts and underscored the importance of adhering to international humanitarian law to protect access to healthcare services. By bringing together experts and stakeholders in the field, the symposium aimed to strengthen cooperation and collaboration in ensuring the safety and protection of medical personnel and facilities during armed conflicts. The practical plans and programmes developed as a result of the symposium’s recommendations are expected to contribute to enhancing medical services and promoting the well-being of individuals affected by armed conflicts.
