THE Geneva Convention is still relevant in Fiji and the Pacific islands, says the head of regional delegation for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Judith Greenwood.
The Geneva Convention celebrated its 63rd birthday on August 12 which the Fiji Red Cross commemorated a day later at its main branch in Suva.
The Geneva Convention marks the agreements of 1949, an updated term of the first three treaties (1864, 1906 and 1929) which was updated following the World War II. The articles of the 1949 Fourth Geneva Convention defined the basic, wartime civil and military rights of prisoners; the established protection for the wounded; and established protection for the civilians in and around a war zone. "While the Pacific does not face war situations like that in the Middle East, the Geneva Convention is still very much relevant," Ms Greenwood said.
"Fiji is one of three countries in the Pacific that are actively involved in peacekeeping duties."
She said the ICRC's role in the Pacific was to ensure the legalisation of existing laws.
"We will continue to promote the laws that are necessary for humanitarian needs because war is becoming a global problem that affects everyone."
Fiji Red Cross director general Filipe Nainoca said the Geneva Convention's 63rd birthday marked a very important day of remembering international humanitarian laws.