Yerzi, 29 January 2019- Under the patronage of the Lebanese Armed Forces Commander in Chief, General Joseph Aoun, the Lebanese Armed Forces launched today the Code of Conduct for the Army in cooperation with the Regional Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
The launch took place in the presence of the United Nations Acting Special Coordinator in Lebanon, Ms. Pernille Dahler Kardel, the Regional Representative of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Roueida El Hage, and the Head of European Delegation to Lebanon, Ambassador Christina Lassen as well as a number of high ranking officials, and representatives of the diplomatic corps and civil society organizations in Lebanon.
“We continuously strive to develop our combat capabilities and raise the level of personnel professionalism. The Army is keen to cultivate the human sense and build a moral discipline. The launch of the Code of Conduct is a landmark step in this respect”, said General Aoun. He also thanked the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for its contribution in the development of the Code of Conduct, emphasizing the continued strategic cooperation with the United Nations for the protection of human rights.
In their address, the Acting Special Coordinator of the United Nations in Lebanon, the Regional Representative of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Ambassador of the European Union highlighted the importance of the Code of Conduct as a core document reflecting human rights, and an indispensable tool for harmonization of the relationship between those who enforce the law and citizens or residents in Lebanon.
This document enshrines the fundamental principles relevant to law enforcement and human rights that would protect and promote freedoms and rights, and highlights the importance and necessity of protecting women, children, the elderly, refugees and victims of human trafficking in all law enforcement-related tasks assigned to the Lebanese Armed Forces.
General Aoun presented shields of appreciation to the Acting United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon, the Regional Representative of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Ambassador of the European Union for their contribution to this achievement.