On February 6, 2025, the School of Law and Public Administration at Narxoz University hosted a roundtable discussion on the topic "National Societies of the Red Cross and Red Crescent: Legal Foundations of Their Activities and Their Role in Implementing the Geneva Conventions on the Protection of War Victims."
As is well known, on September 27, 2024, at the UN headquarters in New York, six states—Kazakhstan, Brazil, Jordan, China, France, and South Africa—along with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), launched a global initiative aimed at reinforcing political commitment to international humanitarian law (IHL). This initiative, open to all states, emphasizes preventing IHL violations and fostering stronger implementation efforts. As part of its realization, the initiating countries requested the ICRC to conduct consultations involving all relevant stakeholders to develop practical recommendations for renewing adherence to the conscientious application and enforcement of the Geneva Conventions on the protection of war victims.
Given that National Societies of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (RC and RC) play a crucial role in disseminating IHL and collaborating with governments to ensure its compliance, they can significantly contribute to the success of this initiative. Moreover, during peacetime, the activities of National Societies are invaluable in responding to humanitarian crises, such as natural disasters and technological accidents, as well as in assisting victims, particularly from vulnerable social groups. However, to function fully and effectively in these areas, National Societies require a solid legal framework that officially recognizes their special legal status through an appropriate law. Unlike the vast majority of Geneva Convention signatories, Kazakhstan has yet to adopt such a law.
The purpose of the roundtable was to engage experts in discussing the protracted legislative process regarding the legal status of Kazakhstan’s National Red Crescent Society and to develop recommendations to address this issue. The event served as a platform for dialogue on integrating the humanitarian values of the Geneva Conventions into Kazakhstan’s national legal system.
The discussion featured prominent participants, including Biljana Milosevic, Head of the ICRC Regional Delegation for Central Asia; Serik Sagymbayev, Head of the ICRC Mission in Kazakhstan; Yerkebek Argymbayev, President of the Red Crescent Society of Kazakhstan; Irina Smirnova, a Member of Parliament (Mazhilis) of the Republic of Kazakhstan; as well as faculty members and students from the School of Law and Public Administration.
Kazakhstan remains among the few Geneva Convention signatories that have not yet enacted a law regulating the activities of its National Red Crescent Society. Following the roundtable, the School of Law and Public Administration will present its recommendations aimed at strengthening the legal foundations of the National Society and revitalizing the legislative process.