Muscat:The proceedings of the fourth Regional Moot Court Competition in International Humanitarian Law commenced in Muscat today. The two-day event is hosted by the Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Omani Committee for International Humanitarian Law and Sultan Qaboos University, in cooperation with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
According to Oman News Agency, participating in the competition are law faculty students from the Sultanate of Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Palestine, Lebanon, and Libya. The participating teams compete in preparing legal memoranda and presenting oral pleadings in hypothetical cases before specialized arbitration panels comprising experts and judges in the field of international humanitarian law. This contributes to enhancing their legal skills and consolidating humanitarian principles.
Anne Montavon, Head of the Regional Delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross, delivered a speech at the opening ceremony expressing her thanks and appreciation to the Sultanate of Oman for hosting this competition for the second time. She praised the existing partnership with the Omani Committee for International Humanitarian Law and Sultan Qaboos University, affirming the importance of respecting the provisions of international humanitarian law in a universal, impartial, and consistent manner. Montavon highlighted that these competitions contribute to preparing a future generation of legal professionals, consultants, and judges capable of applying and developing these international rules.
Dr. Saleh Hamad Al Barashdi, a member of the Omani Committee for International Humanitarian Law and Associate Professor at the College of Law at Sultan Qaboos University, affirmed that the Sultanate of Oman's hosting of the fourth edition of this regional competition follows its hosting of the third edition in 2022. This demonstrates Oman’s commitment to supporting regional scientific and legal initiatives and its efforts to spread the culture of international humanitarian law, enhancing respect for its provisions amidst contemporary humanitarian challenges.
Al Barashdi emphasized that moot court competitions serve as an effective educational tool, bridging theoretical knowledge with practical application. They also aid in developing students' skills in research, analysis, and legal pleading. He urged Arab universities to enhance the presence of international humanitarian law in their academic curricula to facilitate the exchange of expertise and build scientific partnerships.