NCHR, ICRC holds joint event

Ambassador Dr. Moushira Khattab, President of the National Council for Human Rights, stressed the importance of holding these joint meetings with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in light of the key role of the ICRC in the performance of his tasks in accordance with Geneva conventions.

She made this statement in the inauguration of the roundtable on the role of the ICRC in promoting a culture of international humanitarian role, which addressed the efforts and activities of the committee in Egypt. The roundtable took place on Monday, June 13th 2022, at the headquarters of the National Council for Human Rights (NCHR).

Khattab highlighted the importance of the international humanitarian law that is based on a set of rules aiming to limit the implications of armed conflict and protect civilians during armed conflicts. She also noted that the international humanitarian law is facing numerous challenges with the growing number of armed conflicts, while she commended the cooperation between Egypt and the ICRC in a variety of areas.

The NCHR President emphasized that the recently launched National Human Rights Strategy (NHRS) aims to boost human rights, representing a charter demonstrated the executive authority's commitment to reinforce the rights of Egyptians.

She also stressed that the national dialogue that the Egyptian President called for aims to strengthen human rights, and represents a new social contract based on the respect of human rights without discrimination.

For his part, Jerome Fontana, head of the ICRC Cairo Delegation, extended his thanks for the NCHR for holding the roundtable at the council's headquarters. He added that the ICRC aims to implement the international humanitarian law during field operations in times of war, noting that the law is the only safeguards for civilians' protection.

Fontana noted that the ICRC mainly aims to promote respect for the international humanitarian law, noting that the committee operates in over 90 countries including Egypt.

Dr. Ramy el-Nazer, Executive Director of the Egyptian Red Crescent, said that the organisation has a strategy to prepare and address disasters.