International Humanitarian Law :

Experts gather for regional meeting

Sri Lanka will host the 21st South Asia Teaching Session (SATS) on International Humanitarian Law (IHL) this year.

The event, organised by the Delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Sri Lanka with the support of the External Affairs Ministry, will take place from today to December 6 in Katunayake.

This year's event will bring together government delegations from South Asia and beyond.

Experts and academics in IHL from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Iran, the Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka will deliver lectures on topics such as IHL vs terrorism, direct participation in hostilities and the protection of women in armed conflict.

"This will be the first time that SATS is taking place in Sri Lanka," ICRC delegation head in Sri Lanka Yves Giovannoni said. "The aim is to enhance knowledge of IHL among civil and military officials working in the fields of international law, international relations and defence studies.