Morocco reiterated its “full commitment” to upholding the rules imposed by international humanitarian law during the 34th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent on Wednesday in Geneva, Morocco’s News Agency (MAP) reported.
“The Kingdom expresses its unwavering support for the efforts led by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Federation of the Red Crescent (IFRC) to keep humanitarian issues at the center of the international community’s interest,” Morocco’s Deputy Permanent Representative in Geneva, Abdellah Boutadghart, said during the plenary session of the conference.
Boutadghart highlighted an important issue that threatens the work of humanitarian workers in conflict zones. He said that United Nations personnel, such as the UN Palestinian Refugee Agency (UNRWA), which has been suffering heavy losses in Palestine, must be protected in conflict zones.
Since Israel’s war against Hamas started on October 7, 2023, two-thirds of UNRWA’s facilities in Gaza have been destroyed, and at least 223 of its employees have been killed, according to the agency.
Boutadghart urged the international community “to preserve human rights and ensure an effective response to crises.”
“The international community must strengthen protection mechanisms and guarantee full compliance with international humanitarian conventions to enable these actors to continue their vital work in complete safety,” he said.
The 34th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which brings together the 196 states parties to the Geneva Conventions, concludes on Thursday.