KARACHI, Feb 8: Internatio-nal humanitarian laws are applicable in times of international or local conflicts. In such situations, these laws ensure that power is exercised only to make the enemy surrender not to destroy it.

This was stated by Humaira Ahmad, legal adviser, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) here at a seminar on Friday.

“These international humanitarian laws basically aim at avoiding the unnecessary damage, sufferings and destruction during the times of conflicts”, she said

Ms Ahmad said that the main purpose of these laws was to contain the impact of armed conflicts. She said that the IHL strictly forbade unnecessary use of force against civilians and victims of war. She also mentioned that collateral damage was not justifiable. She also criticised the use of emblems of the ICRC for military purposes etc in times of conflicts.

Sitara Jabeen of the ICRC highlighting the role of her organisation said that the ICRC was working throughout the world with delegates in over 60 countries.

She said that the ICRC was involved in humanitarian activities in more than 80 countries and had over 14,000 employees.