Int’l humanitarian law must be respected in armed conflict

International humanitarian law (IHL) maintains minimum standards of humanity, which must be respected in armed conflict, said International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) Bangladesh's Head of Delegation Nicolas Fleury.

In the inauguration of the 16th Henry Dunant Memorial Moot Court Competition, Bangladesh National Rounds, he further said IHL rules must be applied by all parties, irrespective of their motivation to go to war.

"At a time in history when we are witnessing a proliferation of conflicts and polarisation, it is more important than ever before that we recommit to these laws of armed conflict, laws that every country has accepted to limit the consequences of conflict," Mr Fleury also said at the event opened on Friday at the Independent University of Bangladesh (IUB) in the city.

The event, jointly organised by the ICRC and IUB, is being considered as a milestone in advancing legal education and the promotion of International Humanitarian Law in the country, a press release says.

This competition brings together law students to debate crucial IHL issues in a simulated courtroom setting.

Named after Henry Dunant, the Red Cross co-founder and pioneering humanitarian, the competition was first introduced in 2001 and has steadily grown, now featuring both national and regional rounds across South Asia.

Its purpose is to deepen knowledge of IHL, strengthen academic excellence, and sharpen the advocacy skills of law students.

This year, participants will engage with challenging legal questions on armed conflict and human rights, with the winning team moving forward to represent Bangladesh in the Asia-Pacific rounds in Hong Kong next year.

In his remarks, IUB Vice Chancellor Prof DR M Tamim reaffirmed the university's dedication to embedding humanitarian values in legal education.

Over the course of two days, 51 participants from 17 teams from leading universities across Bangladesh will argue their cases before panels of esteemed legal experts, judges, and IHL practitioners. The Moot Court, held annually, offers a challenging yet rewarding experience, enabling students to sharpen their research, advocacy, and public speaking skills.

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