The Permanent Committee held several important meetings in 2023, and similar meetings of the subcommittees, meeting every month, to develop plans and follow up on what has been implemented, which are as follows:
A- Statistics of the meetings of the Permanent Committee on International Humanitarian Law:
-The Permanent Committee on International Humanitarian Law, “4” meetings.
2-Executive Committee, “4” meetings.
3- Legal Committee, “4” meetings.
4- Training, Studies, and Research Committee, “6” meetings.
5- Media and Publishing Committee, “6” meetings.
These meetings included:
-Meeting of His Excellency the Chairman of the Permanent Committee on International Humanitarian Law with the Qatari Deputy Minister of Justice and Chairman of the National Committee on International Humanitarian Law in the State of Qatar on 10/11/2023 AD.
-Meeting of His Excellency the Chairman of the Permanent Committee on International Humanitarian Law with His Excellency the Qatari Minister of Justice on 10/11/2023 AD.
-Meeting of His Excellency the Chairman of the Permanent Committee on International Humanitarian Law with His Excellency the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, on the sideline of the twelfth meeting of the Arab National Committees for International Humanitarian Law on 10/12/2023 AD.
As for the Training, Studies, and Research Committee, it has concluded a number of partnerships with national bodies, as follows:
With the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies, the most prominent projects within the memorandum of understanding included the following:
The peer-reviewed scientific journal (Saudi Journal of International Law).
Establishing a peer-reviewed scientific journal concerned with international humanitarian law. A contract was signed on 5/15/1445 AH with the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies to establish a peer-reviewed scientific journal of the Permanent Committee of International Humanitarian Law
The Saudi Electronic Bulletin of International Humanitarian Law.
The electronic bulletin website was designed after comparing it with the websites of similar international bodies, such as the Red Cross Committee and several other committees, and work is underway to approve and authenticate the site.
Prince Turki Al-Faisal Chair for International Humanitarian Law Studies.
Work is underway to implement the project after the financial requirements are met.
Scientific research on King Abdulaziz in the field of international humanitarian law.
Work is underway to implement the project after the financial requirements are met.
Second - Memorandum of Understanding between the Permanent Committee on International Humanitarian Law and the Islamic Military Coalition to Combat Terrorism.
The memorandum of understanding was signed on Wednesday (December 27, 2023) at the headquarters of the Islamic Military Coalition to Combat Terrorism, and a coordination meeting was held to activate the terms of the memorandum between the Permanent Committee for International Humanitarian Law and the Islamic Military Coalition to Combat Terrorism on (2/21/2024) at the headquarters of the Permanent Committee. of international humanitarian law.
Local partnerships ready to sign, including:
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- The unified military command of the Arab Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
- Imam Muhammad Bin Saud Islamic University.
- Institute of Public Administration.
- King Abdulaziz University
Joint executive programs with international bodies:
- San Remo Institute of International Humanitarian Law.
- The Hague Institute.
- Geneva Academy.
- The regional mission of the Red Crescent and Red Cross to the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
Activities carried out in partnership with national member entities in December and January, with the following entities:
• The Ministry of Justice, represented by the Judicial Training Center: holding a course entitled “The Judiciary and International Humanitarian Law.”
• Human Rights Commission: holding a course entitled “Integration between international humanitarian law and human rights law.”
• Holding a course on corpses management during armed conflicts.
E - Scientific research for the year 2023 AD
Member agencies were provided with (50) research titles in the fields of international humanitarian law, as follows:
· Ministry of Defense.
Educational and training institutions (centers, schools, institutes, colleges) were provided to provide scientific research at all levels for officers, non-commissioned officers, and civilians, as well as the Command and Staff College of the Armed Forces and the National Defense University to provide master’s thesis studies in the field of international humanitarian law.
· Ministry of National Guard.
-The Ministry’s Command and Staff College approved the submission of scientific research for (12) master’s students.
• Ministry of education
The Permanent Committee received several papers submitted by some universities, including:
Princess Noura bent Abdul Rahman University. The research title is “Protecting journalists during armed conflicts in light of international humanitarian law.”
Taif University, the title of the research is “The Brief Book on International Humanitarian Law”, “Cyberwarfare and the extent of its compatibility with international humanitarian law”, “Protecting children during armed conflicts in the international system and Islamic jurisprudence”, and “International protection against violation of holy places during armed conflicts.”.
King Faisal University, master’s thesis entitled “Special Protection of Women from the Effects of Armed Conflicts of International Humanitarian Law.”
Jazan University, and the research titles are as follows: “Islam’s protection of cultural heritage in peace and war,” “International courts: their importance and role in implementing international law and achieving peace,” and “Environmental protection in national legislation.”
Taibah University, a doctoral thesis in the field of international humanitarian law entitled “The Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice on the Legality of the Use of Nuclear Weapons or the Threat to Use them.”
University of Tabuk, two studies entitled: “The impact of armed conflicts on children and the system of their protection in international humanitarian law,” and “The impact of armed conflicts on the principle of freedom of the high seas.”
• Ministry of Justice
The Ministry of Justice - a member of the Permanent Committee - was provided with (50) (specialized) research titles for academics and researchers for entities affiliated with the Ministry of Justice in the fields of international humanitarian law.
• Presidency of General Intelligence
The General Intelligence Presidency - a member of the Permanent Committee - was provided with (50) (specialized) research titles for academics and researchers for agencies affiliated with the General Intelligence Presidency in the fields of international humanitarian law.
• Participation in the scientific research submitted by the International Committee of the Red Cross as a draft research paper published in the Journal of the International Committee of the Red Cross under the title “The Military Perspective on International Humanitarian Law” through several experts at the national level from the member agencies of the Permanent Committee.
F- Achievements of the activities included in the educational and training plan for the year 2023.
The “Basic Rules of International Humanitarian Law” course was implemented at the Command and Staff College - Ministry of National Guard in Riyadh on (7/22/1444 AH) corresponding to (02/13/2023 AD) for three days and was attended by “506” participants.
The course “Basic Rules of International Humanitarian Law in the Unified Military Command of the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries” in Riyadh on (8/6/1444 AH) corresponding to (2/26/2023 AD), which lasted for three days, and was attended by “73” participants.
The “Protecting Children during Armed Conflicts - Fourth Program” course, which was held at the headquarters of the Armed Forces Officers Club in Riyadh on (13/8/1444 AH) corresponding to (5/3/2023 AD) for three days, in the presence of “134” participants.
The course “Management of Corpses During Armed Conflicts” was held in Riyadh on (8/20/1444 AH) corresponding to (3/12/2023 AD) for three days and was attended by “128” participants.
The “International Humanitarian Law and Contemporary Challenges” course, which was held in Riyadh on (10/18/1444 AH) corresponding to (5/8/2023 AD) for four days, was attended by “139” participants.
The “Protecting Children during Armed Conflicts - Fifth Program” course was held at the headquarters of the Armed Forces Officers Club in Riyadh on (10/25/1444 AH) corresponding to (5/15/2023 AD) for three days, was attended by “118” participants.
A two-hour tele-symposium “During the Hajj Season” on “The Rights and Duties of Workers in the Humanitarian Fields in International Humanitarian Law” on (12/8/1444 AH) corresponding to (6/26/2023 AD) and watched by “100” participants.
The course “Preventive measures to protect humanitarian aid and health services during armed conflicts”, which took place during the consultative meeting at the Hilton Hotel in Jeddah Governorate, on (1/5/1444 AH) corresponding to (7/23/2023 AD) and for four days with the participation of “144” In person.
The course “Diplomatic Work and International Humanitarian Law” was held at the Prince Saud Al Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (5/27/1444 AH) corresponding to (12/11/2023 AD) for three days and the number of participants was “230” participants.
J- Entities that benefit from educational and training programs and courses provided by the Permanent Committee on International Humanitarian Law
Members of the Permanent Committee
Ministry of Defense, Ministry of National Guard, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Information, Human Rights Commission, Saudi Red Crescent Authority, Presidency of General Intelligence, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Economy and Planning.
Educational bodies
Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University, King Khalid University, Prince Sattam University, Umm Al-Qura University, Princess Noura bent Abdul Rahman University, King Faisal University, Al-Jouf University, Jazan University, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah University, King Khalid University, Umm Al-Qura University, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Qassim University, Imam Abdul Rahman bin Faisal University, Bisha University.
Military authorities
Joint Forces Command, Ground Forces, Saudi Naval Forces, Royal Saudi Air Force, Najran Force Command, Joint Forces Medical Support Center, Public Relations and Moral Guidance Department of the Armed Forces, Sharurah Force Command, Armed Forces Hospital in the Southern Region, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Command and Staff College, Southern Command Detention Center, Air Defense Force, Public Security, General Directorate of Border Guards, Prince Sultan Health College, King Fahd Medical Complex and the Child Protection Unit led by the Joint Forces.
The Islamic Military Alliance to Combat Terrorism
Representative of the United Arab Emirates in the Islamic Coalition to Combat Terrorism, representative of the Kuwaiti Army in the Islamic Coalition to Combat Terrorism, representative of the State of Kuwait for the media field in the Islamic Military Coalition to Combat Terrorism, representatives of the Egyptian forces in the Coalition to Support Legitimacy, representatives of the Yemeni Armed Forces in the Coalition to Support Legitimacy, representatives of the forces The Sudanese Armed Forces in the Alliance to Support Legitimacy, the Unified Military Command of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, the representatives of Kuwait and the UAE in the Alliance to Support Legitimacy, the representative of the Central Bank of Afghanistan in the Islamic Military Alliance to Combat Terrorism.
Cooperative Training
• Cooperative training was activated with Princess Noura bent Abdul Rahman University for (10) female students in the College of Law from 2/18/1445 AH until 6/1/1445 AH.
International training
The Permanent Committee participated in external sessions at the San Remo Institute for International Humanitarian Law in Italy, with (5) members of the Permanent Committee, as well as (4) leaders in the Saudi Red Crescent Authority, and (3) local experts were elected to attend the 64th training program.
Media and Publication Committee:
• Media coverage of events and courses through several audio-visual media platforms, the Saudi Press Agency, electronic newspapers, and social media platforms for the following committee activities:
• Basic rules of international humanitarian law course at the Ministry of National Guard.
• A course on the basic rules of international humanitarian law in the unified military command of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
• Media coverage of the fourth and fifth programs on protecting children during armed conflicts.
• Media coverage of the course on corpse management during armed conflicts.
• Media coverage of contemporary challenges during armed conflicts.
• Media coverage of the virtual symposium held during the Hajj season (12/08/1444 AH) entitled “The Rights and Duties of Humanitarian Workers in International Humanitarian Law” to highlight the Kingdom’s efforts and the humanitarian work it provides.
• Media coverage of the course on preventive measures to protect humanitarian aid and health services during armed conflicts at the consultative meeting in Jeddah Governorate.
• Media coverage of the course on diplomatic work and international humanitarian law in cooperation with the Prince Saud Al-Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• Media coverage of a dialogue session entitled “Contemporary Challenges of Diplomatic Work During Armed Conflicts.”
• Conducting media interviews with several national strategic leaders who attended the Diplomatic Work and International Humanitarian Law course.
• A course on the basic rules of international humanitarian law at the Islamic Military Coalition to Combat Terrorism.
• The signing ceremony of the memorandum of understanding agreement with the King Faisal Center for Islamic Studies and Research.
• Organizing, managing, and covering the official launch ceremony of the identity and the committee’s official platforms.
• Media coverage of the committee members’ regular meeting.
• Media coverage of the general meeting of the thirty-third and thirty-fourth Standing Committee.
• Media coverage of the Permanent Committee’s participation in a remote lecture during this year’s Hajj season 1444 AH.
• International media coverage accompanying the presence of the Chairman of the Permanent Committee of the meeting of the fraternal Gulf meeting of the heads of the national committees of the Arab Gulf states on Sunday 10/8/2023 AD, and the twelfth meeting of the Arab national committees for international humanitarian law in the field of implementing international humanitarian law at the national level on Monday and Tuesday 9- 10/10/2023 AD.
• The committee’s accounts were launched on social media platforms on February 8, 2023, in the occasion of International Humanitarian Law Day, May 9, 2023.
• Holding an information session entitled “Civil and Military Media in Armed Conflicts and Wars” in the occasion of International Humanitarian Law Day, corresponding to May 9, 2023, AD.
• Holding the exhibition accompanying the fifth consultative meeting between the Islamic Committee of the International Crescent and the National Red Crescent Societies of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation countries.
• Participation in the consultative meeting at an exhibition during which a brief was presented about the Permanent Committee, its activities, and achievements.
• Hosting several participating experts from (57) countries and guests of honor of the committee and conducting media coverage for that.
• Meeting with the media department of the regional delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Kuwait to activate communication between the Permanent Committee of International Humanitarian Law and the media department of the regional delegation in Kuwait through periodic visits to exchange experiences and transfer knowledge.
• Media coverage of a dialogue session entitled “Contemporary Challenges of Humanitarian Action during Armed Conflicts” with the participation of several local and international experts.
• Media coverage of a dialogue session entitled “Protecting the Badges of Humanitarian Organizations and Criminal Liability” with the participation of several international experts.
• Conducting media meetings with several national, regional, and international strategic leaders who attended the consultative meeting in the areas of international humanitarian law.