“Members should work for the development of a legal framework for Red Cross emblem use.”,H.E Lomi Bedo, Deputy Speaker of the HPR
The Ethiopian Red Cross Society(ERCS) in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) held an information session for parliamentarians on the use and protection of the Red Cross Emblem and International Humanitarian law today, in Addis Ababa.
The aim of the session is to raise awareness on the significance of protecting the Red Cross emblem and highlighting its contemporary misuse in the country. The session also sought to facilitate the adoption of a comprehensive and standalone law on the emblem’s use and protection.
The Red Cross emblem is an international symbol of humanity and protection, said the Deputy Speaker of the House of Peoples’ Representatives of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Lomi Bedo; noting that the misuse of the Red Cross emblem for unwanted purposes has been increasing in recent times.
She added that members of the House should ensure that international agreements and conventions regarding the Red Cross emblem are respected through their monitoring and control activities and work for the development of a legal framework for emblem use.
In his opening remarks, Engineer Getahun Hussein, board member of ERCS, said that the forum will enable members of the esteemed house to fulfill their responsibilities for respecting international humanitarian law, as well as to understand the challenges faced in the use of the Red Cross emblem and provide their support for efforts to resolve the problems.
Simone Casabianca-Aeschlimann, Head of Delegation of ICRC to Ethiopia, said that Parliamentarian’s role in ensuring the implementation of IHL is both unique and essential. She added, as representatives of the people and key policymakers, Parliamentarians stand at the forefront of ensuring Ethiopia’s compliance with its international obligations.
She added that members of the House must ensure that international agreements and conventions regarding the Red Cross emblem are respected through the monitoring and evaluation activities of the House.
During the discussion, members of the house noted that the forum broadened the common understanding on the International Humanitarian law(IHL) and proper use of the emblems, and expressed their commitment to play their part in respecting the International Humanitarian law.
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