Cambodia Concludes Inter-Ministerial Seminar on International Humanitarian Law

The Cambodian Red Cross has concluded a two-day inter-ministerial seminar on International Humanitarian Law (IHL). The seminar, held on July 16, 2026, at the headquarters of the Cambodian Red Cross in Phnom Penh, featured presentations by experts from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and was attended by representatives from 19 ministries and institutions. Participants expressed their gratitude to the Cambodian Red Cross for the opportunity to gain additional knowledge on the fundamental principles of IHL. They stated that the knowledge acquired through question-and-answer sessions and the sharing of experiences with the trainers would serve as a crucial foundation for them to continue performing their respective duties professionally, responsibly, and with a humanitarian spirit. They also expressed their commitment to further disseminating the principles and values of IHL. Ms. Clémentine Rendle, ICRC's Regional Legal Advisor, commended the participants for their attentive participation and active contributions over the two days, which demonstrated their commitment to learning about IHL. She emphasized that respecting IHL requires proper training and continuous dissemination, which are essential for fostering a culture of understanding and adherence to the law. She added that the success of its implementation depends on the collective commitment at both individual and institutional levels, with ministries and institutions contributing according to their scope of work and responsibilities. The ICRC stands ready to cooperate with National Societies and ministries/institutions to further promote and protect these humanitarian values in the future. Ms. Pum Chanty-Nee, Secretary General of the Cambodian Red Cross, extended her sincere thanks to the ICRC delegates and experts for facilitating the seminar and to the inter-ministerial participants. She requested that representatives from each ministry and institution report the seminar's outcomes to their respective ministers or heads of units and to further disseminate the knowledge gained. Ms. Pum Chanty-Nee reiterated the seminar's main objectives: to strengthen and update knowledge on the core rules of IHL, to gain a clearer understanding of the roles of the ICRC and the Cambodian Red Cross in the context of armed conflicts and the implementation of IHL, and to identify potential activities for contributing to the development of a "culture of respect for IHL" at both national and international levels. She underscored that IHL is not the responsibility of any single institution but a shared responsibility of the state, relevant institutions, and all partners to protect the lives, dignity, and fundamental rights of people in all circumstances. Source: AKP Khmer