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| National
Society legal advisers’ meeting – Session on the
IDRL project |
During the annual Red Cross and
Red Crescent National Societies Legal Advisers’
Meeting in September 2003, a session on the IDRL Project
took place in Geneva on 10 September. The aim of this
briefing session was to provide an update on the progress
of the IDRL Project and to discuss ways in which National
Societies could become further involved.
After a clear explanation on the purpose and objectives
of the IDRL Project, four National Societies representatives
made presentations:
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Mostafa Mohagegh
from the Red Crescent Society of the Islamic Republic
of Iran,
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Elzbieta Mikos
from the Polish Red Cross,
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Preben Markussen
from the Norwegian Red Cross and
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Michael Hoffman
from the American Red Cross.
The speakers highlighted the
important contribution already made by some National Societies
to the project and proposed some new ideas to strengthen
the cooperation between the International Federation and
the National Societies in the future of the project. The
meeting also provided an opportunity for National Societies
to identify ways in which the IDRL Project could benefit
them in their daily work. Indeed, the success of the IDRL
Project’s continuation after the 28th International
Conference is linked to the recognition by National Societies
that IDRL is of direct relevance to meeting the needs
of vulnerable people.
Some issues raised in the discussion, included:
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What is the
real scope of the IDRL project: for example, does it
cover preparedness or just response to disasters?
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The need for
both advocacy and research in disaster response.
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The need to clarify
responsibilities of National Societies in times of disasters
under national legislation.
At the end, the sharing of views
and experiences between the Federation Secretariat and
the legal advisers from the different National Societies
could be considered very helpful in defining the future
of the IDRL Project.
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| More
information |
IDRL
Project Research and Findings 
(67 Kb, 5 pages) |
| IDRL
briefing for permanent missions |
The IDRL Briefing for Permanent
Missions took place on 29 August gathering about 30 States
representatives. This briefing session was an opportunity
to discuss the concept of IDRL, the findings of the IDRL
Project and the actions proposed in the Agenda for Humanitarian
Action, to be adopted at the 28th International Conference
in December 2003. This meeting formed a key part of consultation
with the relevant stakeholders in the lead up of the International
Conference.
Following a presentation of “IDRL
Research and Findings” and a case study on the
application of IDRL in international urban search and
rescue by the UN, explained by Arjun Katoch from UNOCHA,
these following questions were raised in the discussions:
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Questions about
the terminology: “law” or “laws”?
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The concern about
trying to create a new international law framework.
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The need to examine
practice and non-legal instruments, as well as laws.
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Questions on
the future of IDRL in the International Red Cross and
Red Crescent Movement, in the United Nations system
and also a question on how the cooperation could be
set up between the National Societies and States to
strengthen this project.
All the questions and remarks from
this briefing session showed States’ interest in the
IDRL Project. In addition to the support of experts and
other international organizations, this support from States
leaves us even more confidant in the achievement of the
goal of the Strategy 2010: improving the international disaster
response system to improve the lives of vulnerable people
by mobilizing the power of humanity.
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Disaster management
