International Conference on Convergence and Conflicts of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law in Military Operations

By Corporate Communication & Marketing / Korporatiewe Kommunikasie & Bemarking

Posted on 31 August 2012

From left to right, Professor Christof Heyns, (Co) Director: Institute for International and Comparative Law in Africa and UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions; Professor Erika de Wet, (Co) Director: Institute for International and Comparative Law in Africa; Prof Cheryl De la Rey, Vice-Chancellor and Principal, University of Pretoria with Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula.

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is committed to the protection of South Africa and its citizens, and is proud of the role its armed forces have played in peacekeeping operations in countries emerging from conflict.

This was part of the message delivered by the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, during her visit to the University of Pretoria’s Hatfield Campus today.

She delivered the opening address at an international conference entitled: Convergence and Conflicts of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law in Military Operations. The conference was organised by the Institute for International and Comparative Law in Africa (ICLA) in the UP's Faculty of Law, in collaboration with the International Law Centre of the Swedish National Defence College (SNDFC).

The Minister said she is encouraged by the discussions during the conference. “A conference like this is well placed to evaluate the relevance of existing provisions to the practical realities of armed conflict in the world today,” Ms Mapisa-Nqakula said. She is looking forward to engage with the outcomes and recommendations made at the conference.

During a brief discussion with members of the media, the Minister also reiterated the importance of collaboration with academic institutions such as the University of Pretoria to ensure the preparedness of the SANDF in military operations.

The conference included South African academics, representatives of the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, as well as the United Nations.

Language Editor: Elna Moller

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Last edited by: Ansa Heyl