Geneva: HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Office in Geneva Dr. Hind Abdalrahman Al Muftah participated Wednesday in the second round of state consultations on international humanitarian law in post-conflict phases, held at the headquarters of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Geneva.
According to Qatar News Agency, Dr. Al Muftah, representing Qatar alongside co-chairs from Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Colombia, and Ethiopia for Track III of the Global Initiative on International Humanitarian Law, emphasized the significance of addressing international humanitarian law during transitional periods following conflicts. She highlighted the critical nature of these phases where nations work towards recovery, rebuilding, and reconciliation amidst lingering impacts of war.
Dr. Al Muftah underscored the importance of international humanitarian law beyond active conflict, stressing its role in managing detainees, searching for the missing, identifying the deceased, and ensuring the safe return of displaced persons. She asserted that achieving justice and sustainable peace necessitates adherence to these humanitarian commitments.
Reflecting on Qatar's own experiences in mediation and post-conflict dialogue, Dr. Al Muftah noted that humanitarian law and peacebuilding are intertwined. She emphasized that integrating humanitarian measures, such as prisoner exchanges and safe return guarantees, is crucial in transforming temporary ceasefires into enduring peace.
Dr. Al Muftah further highlighted the necessity of embedding international humanitarian law within national legislation and policy frameworks during transitional periods to facilitate successful post-conflict recovery. She pointed out that these consultations are vital for sharing practical insights on implementing international humanitarian law through legal and policy development.
She concluded by emphasizing that peace founded on justice, dignity, and compassion is sustainable, expressing gratitude to the ICRC for facilitating this critical dialogue and for its efforts to ensure that the protection of humanity continues beyond the end of hostilities.