Morocco reiterates in Geneva its 'full commitment' to international humanitarian law rules

Morocco reiterated on Wednesday its “full commitment” to the universal rules of international humanitarian law at the 34th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which runs until October 31 in Geneva.

“The Kingdom expresses its unwavering support to the efforts led by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Federation of the Red Crescent (IFRC) to keep humanitarian issues at the center of the international community’s interest,” Morocco’s deputy permanent representative in Geneva, Abdellah Boutadghart, told the plenary session of this event, which brings together the 196 states party to the Geneva Conventions.

Recalling the international context marked by “growing geopolitical tensions, protracted conflicts, and exacerbated and unprecedented humanitarian crises,” the Moroccan diplomat stressed that the protection of humanitarian workers, social and medical infrastructures, as well as UN personnel in zones of armed conflict is “an absolute imperative to preserve human rights and ensure an effective response to crises.”

“The international community must strengthen protection mechanisms and guarantee full compliance with international humanitarian conventions to enable these actors to continue their vital work in complete safety,” he added.

The diplomat also recalled that since independence, Morocco has been actively committed to promoting and respecting international humanitarian law through a proactive approach that integrates the principles of this law into its national and international policies while supporting awareness-raising efforts on a regional and global scale.

Morocco’s deputy head of mission noted that the Kingdom’s humanitarian action was also characterized by its active participation in UN peacekeeping missions, particularly in Africa.

“The Kingdom also provides direct humanitarian aid to populations affected by crises or natural disasters, on several continents and on a sustained basis, under the impetus of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, who has made humanitarian action an essential component of Morocco’s international action,” he added, noting that these efforts are part of “a global commitment to peace and regional and international stability.”

Morocco wishes to draw attention to “the need to adapt humanitarian action to new emerging challenges,” he stated, referring to pandemics such as COVID-19, which have shown the extent to which health and humanitarian assistance systems can be weakened by global crises.

“Humanitarian actors must adapt to these new challenges by integrating innovative approaches, such as the use of technology to improve access to aid and strengthen coordination. They must also take into account dimensions linked to food security, climatic migrations, and the protection of vulnerable groups, particularly women and children,” Mr. Boutadghart concluded.

Co-organized by the IFRC and the ICRC and hosted by Switzerland, the 34th International Conference is the supreme deliberative body of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

Bringing together all the components of the Movement and the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions, it provides an opportunity to develop and reaffirm the norms and values that underpin humanitarian action.