Dr. Yusuf Goran suggests opening Research Center on the International Humanitarian Law

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                          Dr. Yusuf Goran, the KRG Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research said that the Kurdistan Region is witnessing a big opening towards the world, thus many new topics emerged coincidently with this opening, and accordingly it is necessary those topics to be studied at our education institutions. 

This statement by Dr. Yusuf Goran came during his reception of a delegation from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) which was led by Chiya Ali, Consultant of the ICRC in Kurdistan region. The delegation visited the KRG Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research’s Divan on September 6th, 2015 in Erbil.

In a meeting, where Dr. Amanj Saeed Advisor to the KRG Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research attended, the visiting delegation shed light on the purpose of their visit and stressed that the ICRC is working on publishing (the International Humanitarian Law) since the past 10 years, indicating they deem that teaching this topic at Kurdistan Region’s universities, especially the colleges of Law and Political Sciences is very important.

The delegation also emphasized on the importance of familiarizing students of Law and Political Sciences on the International Humanitarian Law, since it will be very useful for respecting the human rights at any society , especially when the area is facing conflicts.

The delegation asked the KRG Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research to cooperate with them in reaching their goal and to take necessary mechanisms for studying the International Humanitarian Law at Kurdistan Region universities.  

On his part, Dr. Yusuf Goran said: “The International Humanitarian Law is a vital humanitarian and academic topic that has international and constitutional importance. The Kurdistan Region is witnessing a big opening towards the world, thus many new topics emerged coincidently with this opening, and accordingly it is necessary those topics to be studied at our education institutions. But since there are a lot of new topics and the period of education is short here, we cannot put all those topics within our education system.” 

Dr. Yusuf Goran reiterated his support for their idea, and said: “The International Humanitarian Law is not only increasing it within the education curriculum, but this issue needs academic staff, training courses and research centers. Mr. Goran suggested that the ICRC to prepare a proposal for signing a memorandum of understanding between both sides for organizing the framework of the issue. He also suggested that a special research center for promoting the International Humanitarian Law in the Kurdistan region to be established with the cooperation of ICRC.

The delegation embraced suggestions by Mr. Goran and promised to work on those suggestions.