November 7, 2016 the delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) visited the RUDN University.

November 7, 2016 the delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) visited the RUDN University. Director for International Law and Policy at the International Committee of the Red Cross (Geneva) Helen Durham gave an open lecture for the students of the Department of International Law of the RUDN University entitled “The new face of contemporary armed conflicts - new challenges for international humanitarian law and humanitarian action.”

Ms. Durham, being a PhD in international humanitarian law and international criminal law, as well as having experience as a head of the Department of International Law, Strategy, Planning and Research of the Australian Red Cross, in the course of the meeting shared her research and practical experience.

Actual problems and questions concerning ICRC work, such as participation in the elaboration of international treaties in the field of international humanitarian law (IHL), including the Ottawa Convention of 1997; the protection of prisoners of war; the creation of humanitarian corridors and safety zones; respect for IHL by non-State actors, were also widely discussed during the meeting.

After the lecture H. Durham, Gauthier Lefèvre (Deputy Head of the ICRC Regional Delegation in the Russian Federation, Belarus and Moldova) and Anastasia Kushleyko (ICRC Regional Legal Advisor in Eastern Europe and Central Asia) took part in discussion with audience and answered all the questions.

During the visit ICRC and RUDN University signed Memorandum of understanding. The Document deals with questions of promotion and development of the teaching, study, research and dissemination of IHL.

In the end of the meeting Head of the Department of International Law, Professor Aslan Abashidze has given memorable gifts to the honorable guests from ICRC.