Seminar of the National Committee on International Humanitarian Law

Mr. Christoph Luedi, Head of the ICRC’s Regional Delegation in Nairobi, Kenya welcomes Hon. Angela Kairuki (MP) (2nd left), Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, as the guest of honor during a one-day Seminar on the National Committee on International Humanitarian Law (IHL) held today at Coral Beach Hotel in Dar es Salaam.  Others are Hon. Adam O. Kimbisa (MP) (1st left), Secretary General of the Tanzania Red Cross and Member of the East Africa Legislative Assembly and Ms. Zainabu Gama (2nd right), National Vice-Chairperson for the Tanzania Red Cross Society (TRCS).  (Photo by Tagie Daisy Mwakawago of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation)

  

Government officials listening to Hon. Kairuki (not in the photo), including Mr. Richard Maridadi (2nd left), who was present on behalf of Ambassador Irene Kasyanju, the Head of the Legal Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. (Photo by Tagie Daisy Mwakawago of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation)

  

Hon. Angela Kairuki (MP), Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, officially opens a one-day Seminar on the National Committee of International Humanitarian Law (IHL).  (Photo by Tagie Daisy Mwakawago of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation)

 Prof. Umesh Kadam (left), Regional Legal Adviser for International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Nairobi, Kenya and various Government Officials listening on to Hon. Kairuki's remarks during the IHL Seminar.  (Photo by Tagie Daisy Mwakawago of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation)

Dr. Khoti Kamanga, Coordinator from University of Dar es Salaam also was in attendance and gave his overview on Tanzania implementation in IHL.   

Other participants, included Ms. Zulekha Fundi (3rd right), Foreign Service Officer (Legal) from Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation and Ms. Linda Bore (1st right), Legal Officer for ICRC Nairobi in Kenya. 

  

Hon. Kairuki (MP) speaking to reporters about the Government's commitment to fully implement the IHL.

A group photo of Hon. Kairuki (MP) (center-seated), Ms. Gama (3rd left-seated), Dr. Kamanga (2nd left-seated), Prof. Kadam (1st left-seated) and Mr. Maridadi (1st left-standing).  Others are Mr. Luedi (3rd right-seated), Hon. Kimbisa (MP) (2nd right-seated)and Government Stakeholders during a one-day Seminar on the National Implementation of International Humanitarian Law hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in collaboration with International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Tanzania Red Cross Society (TRCS). 

Photos and Story by Tagie Daisy Mwakawago 

of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation.

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“Tanzania stands ready to fully implement the International Humanitarian Law and I believe we have an important role in charting the way forward,” says Hon. Angela Kairuki (MP), Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, as she launches a one-day Seminar of the National Committee on International Humanitarian Law (IHL) held today at Coral Beach Hotel in Dar es Salaam.

“It is now time for Tanzania to seriously ponder and reflect on the need of establishing such a National Committee at a national level,” said Hon. Kairuki.

The one day seminar, which was hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation in collaboration with International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Tanzania Red Cross Society (TRCS), aimed to assist the Government bodies which are responsible to implement IHL through national legislation for its promotion and ratification in the country.  

Tanzania has already demonstrated that commitment to this ideal by signing up of the Geneva Conventions and their additional protocols, along with other treaties which limit methods and means of warfare and provide protection for people during conflicts.

“Like other countries in the world, Tanzania is duty bound to fulfill her treaty obligations under the IHL, such as the Penal Code and the Law of the Child Act to mention few,” said Hon. Kairuki, urging the participants in seminar “to share experiences, identify gaps for both policy and legal review in order to keep our system in line with the new changes which occur from day to day.” 

“The seminar demonstrates the Tanzania Government’s commitment to ensure that IHL is known and implemented in Tanzania,” commented Mr. Christoph Luedi, Head of the ICRC’s Regional Delegation in Nairobi, Kenya, on the press release issued earlier by the Per the Press Release issued earlier today by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).  In attendance were officials from the office of Public Service Management, Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Defence and National Service, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Ministry of Information, Youth, Culture and Development, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and to name few. 

Making a presentation on the overview of implementation of IHL Treaties in Tanzania on behalf of Ambassador Irene Kasyanju, the Head of the Legal Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mr. Richard Maridadi reminded the Government Stakeholders to reflect back on the previous meetings held last year, including this seminar and coordinate with each other to find a common ground solutions to move this matter forward in realizing the implementation process for the IHL.

“As the Coordinator for the implementation of IHL Treaties within Government Institutions, we call upon fellow Stakeholders to find immediate remedies to charter forward the IHL implementation process,” said Mr. Maridadi.