China: Annual International Humanitarian Law Summer Session Held in Jiangsu

This year's session coincides with the 75th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions and the 120th anniversary of the RCSC.

Marwa Shabbar, Head of Legal Department of ICRC's Regional Delegation for East Asia, highlighted the session's role in promoting IHL in China, “Our aim is to foster a deeper understanding of contemporary humanitarian challenges and ongoing legal debates among decision-makers, while simultaneously strengthening the capacity of scholars in teaching and researching IHL, thus solidifying the foundation of IHL education in China.”

Ma Wenbo, Deputy Director of the RCSC's Liaison Department, emphasized the importance of the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols, highlighting domestic IHL promotion efforts, including an upcoming seminar in August commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions. Mr Ma emphasized ,the need to advance the humanitarian spirit of the Geneva Conventions.

Wang Rupeng, Dean of the IARC, stressed the Academy's achievements in research and humanitarian talent development. He underlined IHL's crucial role in protecting conflict victims and maintaining human dignity, affirming the Academy's commitment to promoting IHL studies, dissemination, and practice.

Participants also visited the Yixing IHL Experience Center, a teaching base for the IARC managed by the Yixing Red Cross Society, where Participants were able to experience a warzone simulation. Li Li, Executive Vice President of the Yixing Red Cross Society, committed to continued support for the summer session and future humanitarian education.  

The summer session curriculum covered key issues including the protection of detainees, cultural property, cyber warfare, AI and autonomous weapons, arms control, the criminal repression of IHL violations, domestic implementation of IHL, and other contemporary IHL challenges. Instructors, including distinguished scholars, government and military experts, and ICRC legal advisors, delivered the course through lectures, workshops, case studies, group discussions, and readings on IHL theories and principles, humanitarian actions, and current IHL challenges. 

Since 2011, the ICRC has partnered with institutions like Peking University, China Foreign Affairs University, Jilin University, and China University of Political Science and Law to host the annual IHL summer session, establishing the event as a key platform for IHL discussion and exchange in China.

photos and video: IARC