By Tokpa Tarnue-tarnue822@gmail.com
Voinjama, Liberia-The Liberian National Red Cross Society (LNRCS) in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has given a two-day training course in international humanitarian law (IHL) to members of the joint in Lofa County.
Lofa County lies on the borders with neighbouring Guinea and Sierra Leone.
“International humanitarian law is a set of rules which seek, for humanitarian reasons, to limit the effects of armed conflict. It protects persons who are not or are no longer participating in the hostilities and restricts the means and methods of warfare. International humanitarian law is also known as the law of war or the law of armed conflict.
The two-day training, held at the Military Barracks in Voinjama, was organized by the ICRC and the office of the Chief of Training of the Armed Forces of Liberia back to Back to Basics Training and all the IHL activities. It has been funded by the ICRC
Also known as law of conflict-the International Humanitarian Law is a body of international laws that protects people who are not or no longer participating in hostilities.
It also protects civilian property and restricts the methods and means of warfare that partied to a conflict can use.
Speaking at the start of the two-day training, LNRC communication director Oniel Bestman said under the Geneva Convention and their additional protocols, every army is required to teach the IHL.
“The LNRCS is helping the Liberian army to set up programmes for teaching IHL and integrating it into doctrine, drill and field exercises” He noted.
He also indicated that the army is to ensure that soldiers respect the law and do not violate it in any of their operations.
For his part, the Commander of the AFL in Lofa 2nd LT Momo Gray said the armed forces welcomes the LNRC support and that such trainings helps to increase the national and international credibility of the AFL and also enables soldiers to understand their responsibilities and legal obligations in the conduct of hostilities.
Commander Gray further indicated that all AFL personnel must be mindful of laws that govern armed conflicts.
He said the LNRCS has worked with the Liberian army for several years by imparting knowledge of IHL and also helping to develop the capacity of AFL Personnel, some of whom now serve as trainers with the AFL.