Conference pledges to help conflict-affected civilians

A three-day conference, which attracted African parliamentarians, law experts and others, ended on Wednesday in Niger with participants pledging to alleviate the burden of civilians during times of conflict, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has announced. In the final declaration, the participants acknowledged the negative impact that armed conflicts and other forms of violence have had on the continent. They listed good governance, rule of law and respect for human rights as the "best prevention" for the protection of civilians, particularly vulnerable groups such as women, children and elderly. According to the ICRC, parliamentarians were given special attention since the seminar aimed to impart on them international law concepts, and encouraged them to promote international law, particularly by signing international treaties and pushing for their adoption within their respective national legislation. They pledged to prevent recruitment of children under 18 years of age to fight. They also vowed to grant to the UNHCR, ICRC and the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies "free access in times of conflict to needy civilian populations and to facilitate the free circulation of humanitarian aid, the statement said. Held in Niger's capital, Niamey, participants included Angola, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Guinea, Morocco, Rwanda. The seminar was organised in collaboration with the African Interparliamentary Union, Canada, Norway and Switzerland.