August 9, 2022-CONDUCTS AWARENESS TRAINING WITH 145 AFL AND OTHER JOINT SECURITY OFFICERS
The International Humanitarian Law (IHL) is a body of international law known as the law of armed conflict. It protects people who are not or no longer participating in hostilities. The law protects civilians’ properties and restricts the methods and means of warfare that parties to a conflict can use.
IHL is only applicable in times of armed conflicts. To enhance understanding of the IHL in the army, the LNRCS in collaboration with the AFL legal session held an IHL awareness session at various barracks to remind the soldiers of the law of armed conflict.
The aim is to ensure that the soldiers respect the law and do not violate it in their operations. “The AFL welcomes the LNRCS collaboration with support from ICRC.
The training always increases the AFL’s national and international credibility and enables the soldiers to understand their responsibilities and legal obligations in the conduct of hostilities,” the chief of staff of the Liberian Army, Major General Prince Charles Johnson III said.
Despite the end of the ICRC’s mission in Liberia, it continues to support the Liberian Red Cross to work with the Liberian army to promote the knowledge of IHL and develop the capacity of the AFL personnel.
The IHL awareness sessions are part of the Back to Basic training for the AFL after it was approved by the leadership of the army to create the necessary awareness of IHL among officers and enlisted men of the AFL.
The deputy chief of staff, Brigadier General Geraldine J. George expressed gratitude to the National Red Cross Society and its partner (ICRC) for the continuous training for the AFL personnel in IHL. He said the training has further developed the professional capacity of the officers and the enlisted men.
Since November 2021, at least 145 officers and enlisted men, and other members of the joint security teams underwent the awareness sessions in Bong, Lofa, Margibi, Grand Bassa, and Monterrado Counties.
The sessions jointly facilitated by the LNRCS and the AFL legal session, focused on the basic concept and purpose of the IHL, highlighting some of the current realities emerging from the Ukraine invasion including the violations of IHL and the repeated calls for parties to respect the law and reduce the impact on civilians.
