Defense Adviser and ICRC highlight urgent need to raise awareness on international humanitarian law

TBM Report

Safeguarding human life and dignity during conflicts must remain the top priority, Defense Adviser Brigadier General (Retd.) Dr. A K M Shamsul Islam, PSC, G, and Head of the Delegation for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Bangladesh, Nicolas Paul Albin Fleury, emphasized on Thursday.

The consensus was reached during a courtesy call made by the ICRC delegation chief on the Defense Adviser in Dhaka. Their discussions centered on expanding training, research, and public awareness around International Humanitarian Law (IHL) within Bangladesh and across its peacekeeping deployments.

During the meeting, both leaders underscored the protective umbrella IHL provides to non-combatants—including civilians, women, children, wounded personnel, healthcare professionals, humanitarian workers, and journalists—during armed conflicts.

“The ultimate goal of International Humanitarian Law is to preserve human life, dignity, and core moral values even amidst conflict, while minimizing unnecessary suffering,” stated Dr. Shamsul Islam. He added that understanding human rights and humanitarian standards should not remain confined to defense personnel but must filter down to wider society.

In light of Bangladesh’s substantial role in United Nations peacekeeping operations, both sides stressed integrating real-world case studies, specialized seminars, and instructor-development modules into military curricula. The meeting also recognized the role of journalists in accurately interpreting IHL principles for the public.

Addressing emerging global challenges, the discussions highlighted the legal and ethical implications of modern warfare technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), autonomous drones, and cyber operations. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation through joint training modules, capacity building, and knowledge exchange.