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Department of International Law > OAS

International Humanitarian Law - February 2014

CAJP organizes International Humanitarian Law events, with support from Department of International Law


A course and a special meeting on international humanitarian law (IHL) were held January 30 and 31, 2014, an initiative of the Committee on Juridical and Political Affairs (CAJP) with support of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Department of International Law of the OAS Secretariat for Legal Affairs. The events were held pursuant to OAS General Assembly resolution AG/RES. 2795 (XLIII-O/13), "Promotion of and Respect for International Humanitarian Law."

CAJP organizes International Humanitarian Law events, with support from Department of International Law

In his capacity as Chair of the CAJP, the Permanent Representative of Bolivia to the OAS, Ambassador Diego Pary, chaired both events, which were attended by renowned legal advisors from the Committee of the Red Cross, as well as government experts and scholars from Colombia, United States, Mexico, and Switzerland.

The course, which aimed to promote awareness about and respect for international humanitarian law and related regional instruments, examined challenges accompanying the use of new technologies and the legal regime applicable to the conduct of hostilities. This sixth edition of the course brought together some 120 participants, among them delegates from Permanent Missions, OAS staff members and interns, and students from the region.

At the ""Special Meeting" that the CAJP held on January 31, the member state delegations and the International Committee of the Red Cross reported on initiatives undertaken in the last two years in the area of international humanitarian law. There was also a panel discussion on the state-of-the-art in protection of cultural property during armed conflicts, against the backdrop of the model legislation prepared by the Inter-American Juridical Committee, the IHL instruments, and the practice by certain countries in identifying areas entitled to protection. A presentation was made on this by Inter-American Juridical Committee rapporteur Dr. Elizabeth Villalta. The dialogue held with the national commissions in September 2013 was also continued, and proposals were put forward as to ways to boost cooperation to implement and promote international humanitarian law in the OAS and these commissions. Finally, weapons treaties and recent developments in the application of international humanitarian law in the hemisphere were also discussed.

Both events were carried over the Organization’s webcasts, recordings of which can be found on the DIL website, along with the agenda, presentations, and biographies of the panelists. 

» For details about the Course, please visit our Website

» For details about the Special Session, please visit our Website

» For additional information about the International Humanitarian Law, please visit our Website

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