HE Assistant Secretary-General for Legislative and Legal Affairs at the GCC General Secretariat Hamad bin Rashid Al Marri stressed Monday the member countries’ commitment to promoting human rights. . 
Speaking at the International Conference on Human Rights Approach to Conflict Situations in the Arab Region, which opened in Doha Monday, Al Marri said that the GCC countries ratified a number of agreements pertaining to the international humanitarian law treaties and their additional protocols. The GCC efforts on the matter also include establishing national human rights committees for each member state. 
He stressed that the international law can play a big part in enhancing human rights and protecting civilians during times of conflict. 
He noted the uptick in armed conflicts in recent years, particularly in the Arab region. Al Marri added that this development means protecting innocent civilians is a key priority. 
He called on establishing a code for such conflicts that guarantee the safety of innocent civilians, particularly women and children. 
The Assistant Secretary-General highlighted that Islam was the first in terms of regulating the boundaries of fighting and protecting civilians during times of armed conflict. It was out of those Islamic principles that the GCC signed international law agreements related to human rights. 
He praised the conference for not settling the discussions on dealing with armed conflict, but on developing strategies that prevent the deterioration to violence in the first place.

Source: QNA