DIRCO hosts Regional Seminar on the Implementation of International Humanitarian Law
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) will co-host the 18th edition of the Annual Regional Seminar on the implementation of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) for Southern Africa and Indian Ocean Island States from 04 till 07 September 2018 at the OR Tambo Building, Pretoria.
The theme of the 2018 Seminar is “Regional contributions to the implementation and development of IHL”. The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Honourable Luwellyn Landers, will deliver the keynote address on the theme. Relatedly and most importantly, the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Ambassador Bene M’Poko, will also address the seminar.
The Seminar will bring together participants from approximately 16 countries in the region, including the Indian Ocean Island States, as well as Nigeria, Djibouti and the Ethiopian Red Cross Society as guest participants to reflect on the status of IHL implementation at the national level. Representatives from the African Union Commission, Parliamentarians, Pan African Parliament and SADC Secretariat and other Senior Military officials from within the region will be participating. Members of the Diplomatic Community from within the region will be in attendance.
The programme for 04 September 2018 is as follows:
|
08.30-09.00 |
Registration and tea/coffee |
|
09.00-09.30 |
Official Opening Vincent Cassard, Head of Regional Delegation, ICRC Pretoria His Excellency Ambassador M’Poko, DRC Ambassador to South Africa, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in South Africa Honourable Luwellyn Landers, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation |
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09.30 |
Group photograph |
|
09.30-10.10 |
Tea Break and tour of DIRCO offices |
|
10.10-10.30 |
Introduction to Programme and Housekeeping |
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Module 1 – International Humanitarian Law |
|
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10.30-12.00 |
IHL: A refresher (treaties, classification of armed conflicts, conduct of hostilities principles) Sarah Mabeza, ICRC Regional Legal Advisor, Pretoria |
|
12.00-12.30 |
IHL in African Customary Law Hillary Kiboro, ICRC Legal Advisor, Nairobi |
|
12.30-13.30 |
Lunch |
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Module 2 – Country reporting (chaired by DIRCO and ICRC) |
|
|
13.30-15.00 |
Reporting – Country Representatives (closed to observers) |
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15.00-15.30 |
Tea Break |
|
15.30-16.30 |
Reporting - continued |
RSVP:
AlbertP@dirco.gov.za
Enquiries:
Ndivhuwo Mabaya
083 645 7838
MabayaN@dirco.gov.za
OR Tambo Building
460 Soutpansberg Road
Rietondale
Pretoria
