The International Conference on International Rules Governing Police Operations, organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in cooperation with the Public Security Directorate, with the participation of 70 international police organizations was launched  in Amman today.

On behalf of the Director of Public Security, Maj. Gen. Moutasem Abu-Shattal, the Assistant for Management and Manpower and the head of the ICRC delegation in Jordan, Sarah Afreloud, launched the activities of the international conference, making Jordan the first country to host the conference of its first kind.

 The Assistant Director of Public Security for Management and Manpower stressed the importance of holding this conference, which is the first of its kind at the level of countries in the region which emphasizes the participatory relationship between the Jordanian government represented by the Public Security Directorate and the ICRC, and the keenness of both sides  to strengthen cooperation and coordination In the various security and police fields, to discuss and exchange common experiences on issues of concern to the peoples and countries of the world, especially with the acceleration of the events that the world has witnessed during the last decade and their tragic humanitarian consequences.

Brig. Gen. Abu-Shattal added that Jordan attaches the utmost importance to international cooperation in the field of human rights, based on its deep belief that protecting freedoms and rights and preserving human dignity is a prerequisite for achieving justice, freedom and peace in the world in which Jordan also actively participates in the United Nations human rights system.

 For her part, the head of the ICRC delegation in Jordan, Sarah Afreloud, indicated that this workshop will provide a space for participants to exchange experiences on law enforcement challenges and lessons learned, as well as provide innovative responses and good practices, particularly with regard to the recent challenges facing the international community due to the COVID-19 pandemic, stressing the need to provide a platform for senior police officers to exchange ideas and professional experiences on the challenges of policing operations and humanitarian consequences in light of the evolving law enforcement environment.

For his part, Peter Evans, director of the ICRC's Armed Forces and Security Forces Relations Unit, said: "As part of the mandate entrusted by the states parties, the ICRC has taken the decision to hold this workshop on an annual basis to provide an opportunity for dialogue between decision-makers from the security forces and the police from five continents to discuss armed conflict and the risks civilians face and how to mitigate them. "The ICRC believes that security forces and police play a important role in the enforcement of international humanitarian law, the protection of civilians and the mitigation of risks to civilians. This is why this year's workshop is entitled 'Law enforcement, crowd management and the humanitarian consequences'." The workshop includes many presentations, lectures and events within the general discussions.