Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin on Wednesday called on the international community to step up its support and work towards a sustainable solution to the Rohingya crisis.
In a landmark event marking the 75th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions, government representatives, diplomats, and humanitarian experts convened in Dhaka for a commemorative discussion under the theme "Preserving our shared humanity: Making International Humanitarian Law (IHL) a national and international priority."
Organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the event honored the Geneva Conventions’ legacy and underscored the urgent need to renew global political commitment to safeguarding human dignity in conflict zones worldwide.
Speaking as the chief guest, the Foreign Secretary highlighted Bangladesh’s achievements in aligning national frameworks with IHL.
“This milestone anniversary is a reminder that protecting civilians and upholding humane treatment in warfare are responsibilities we all share. Now, we must go beyond rhetoric and ensure that IHL becomes a global standard honored without exception," he said.
Agnès Dhur, Head of Delegation of the ICRC in Bangladesh, opened the event with an address on the sad realities of modern warfare, where adherence to IHL is more critical than ever.
She said, “As armed conflicts and humanitarian crises intensify globally, the Conventions remain our beacon of hope for restraining violence. If we do not prioritize IHL now, when will we?”
She called on states to reaffirm their commitment to IHL, stressing, “Without political will, compliance to IHL cannot be ensured and these norms remain words on paper.”
In his keynote, Professor Nazmuzzaman Bhuiyan of Dhaka University traced the Conventions' evolution, demonstrating their continued relevance amidst new and complex conflicts.
He emphasized, “The Geneva Conventions have adapted to modern realities, yet their core purpose remains unshaken.
They are as essential now as they were in 1949, serving as a moral and legal compass in an increasingly polarized world.”
“Ongoing conflicts and global volatility do not render the international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions obsolete; these laws are all the more relevant today than ever before,” said Reto Renggli, Ambassador of Switzerland to Bangladesh.
While speaking at the event, the envoy said, “Protecting civilians in armed conflicts has been a top priority for Switzerland during its 2023-2024 mandate as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council”.
The participants discussed how Bangladesh and the international community can overcome barriers to IHL implementation.
Attendees also visited a photo exhibition that highlighted the historical significance of the Geneva Conventions and the ICRC’s work in Bangladesh.