 
 
 
 
 
 
|
|
|
|
01 October 2004
|
Friday
|
15 Shaban 1425
|
Protection for armed conflict victims sought
By Jamal Shahid
ISLAMABAD, Sept 30: The parties engaged in armed conflicts, whether pre-emptive or defensive, must respect the International Humanitarian Laws (IHL). Islam goes beyond the international laws and preaches respect for humanity and right to freedom.
This was the gist of speeches delivered by the scholars at a three-day international conference on "Protection of war victims in the light of Islamic law and international humanitarian law" which began here on Thursday.
International Islamic University and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) arranged the conference. In his opening speech, President International Islamic University Dr Mahmood Ahmed Ghazi said in the new world order no one could live aloof from the rest and different cultures must cooperate. The need of the hour was dialogue between the East and the West, he added.
In his opening remarks, ICRC head of delegation Karl Anton Mattli said: "From this conference we will find the common values, which are enshrined in the heritage of humanity."
Talking about the challenging times the world was facing, he said the perceived threat of terrorism and the so-called war on terror tend to neglect the human costs which invariably accompanied all use of armed force.
"Targeting of civilians in conflict situations increases human misery. Possible over-reactions in today's wars may affect future generations," he added. He said while talking of war, we normally thought of two parties, the winner and the loser.
"Then there is a third 'party' to every war, a 'party' which will always be a loser and that 'party' consists of those who are the victims of war. While the winners celebrate what they have won and achieved, and the vanquished ponder over their loss, the victims of both sides often mourn alone."
At the end, he requested the participants of the conference to think about the victims of all wars, their sufferings and the protection they need - the protection that can only be offered when there is a law, known and respected by all.
|
