Red Cross calls for the reviews of health care laws to protect citizens

The Deputy Head of Delegation, international committee of the Red Cross ICRC, Dr. Jean-François Quérguiner has called on ECOWAS Parliament to as a matter of urgency review the national health care laws to help protect citizens in the region during conflicts.

He made this call at the ongoing 2 nd ordinary session of the Parliament in Abuja.

Dr. Quérguiner asked parliamentarians to make amendments to laws, where necessary, to guarantee access to impartial healthcare services during armed conflicts.

“At the regional level, develop an ECOWAS law that would guarantee the access to impartial treatment of all sick and wounded in ECOWAS, during situations of armed conflicts and emergencies.”

“It would guarantee protection for healthcare personnel and infrastructure from harassment and attack.”

The deputy head of the delegation also said the presentation was made based on a 2014 Memorandum of Understanding the ICRC signed with the parliament.

He said the ICRC sought to make parliamentarians acquainted with the Counterterrorism Law and International Humanitarian Law, IHL, and the obligation of states to facilitate the efforts of the ICRC in the region.

“Our mission is to work with sub-committee on legal affairs of the parliament and the sub-committee responsible for human rights to
discuss the human rights issues that exist currently in the region,”he added.

He called for enactment of laws protecting the emblems of the Red Cross Red Crescent to be put in place and implemented in accordance with the Geneva Conventions.

“The abuse of the Emblem can constitute a war crime under international law and national legislation must reflect this,” he said.