In her welcoming address to the Forum participants, Mirjana Spoljaric, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), expressed her appreciation to the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the National Centre for Human Rights for organizing an international platform to discuss pressing human rights issues.
In her speech, she emphasized the critical importance of international humanitarian law in the context of armed conflicts, noting that modern conflicts and new warfare technologies create additional challenges for the protection of civilians, the wounded and sick, persons deprived of liberty, and families separated by conflict.
A key point of her address was the need to uphold human dignity even in the most challenging circumstances: "One principle remains constant: humanity must remain at the heart of our response, even in the most difficult times—including during war."
Mirjana Spoljaric also noted that international humanitarian norms must not remain merely declarative provisions but must ensure real protection for the most vulnerable people. She stated that the effective implementation of international obligations requires political leadership, strong national institutions, international cooperation, and consistent practical action.
Her speech highlighted the Global Initiative to mobilize political commitment to international humanitarian law; through this initiative, the ICRC engages with states to increase focus on compliance with international humanitarian law and to identify practical mechanisms for enhancing the protection of those affected by armed conflict.
In conclusion, Mirjana Spoljaric emphasized that the strength of international obligations is defined not only by the declarations adopted but, above all, by the protection they provide to people during the most vulnerable moments of their lives.
Press Service of the National Center of the
Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights