WORKING TOGETHER TO PROTECT OUR WATERS

The first Regional Workshop on Law of Armed Conflict at Sea, co-hosted by the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), came to a successful close on 8 May.

Held at Copthorne King's Hotel, the four-day workshop brought together 33 military delegates and legal professionals from the Asia-Pacific (AP) region to discuss laws at sea and principles in the fair and humanitarian apprehension of armed perpetrators at sea. This was in line with the ICRC's efforts to raise awareness for its humanitarian mission to protect and uphold the lives and dignity of victims of armed conflict.

Speaking at the ICRC Regional Workshop Dinner on 7 May, Director Joint Operations and Chief of Staff - Joint Staff Brigadier-General Chia Choon Hoong told the participants that the SAF was honoured to partner the ICRC in hosting this event.

"The ICRC is an impartial, neutral and independent organisation . . . (that) endeavours to prevent suffering by promoting and strengthening International Humanitarian Law. Thus, the SAF supports the conduct of this regional workshop to promote professional exchanges and allow sharing of operational experiences among the regional armed forces."

On the reason Singapore was chosen to co-host the event, ICRC Armed Forces Delegate (AP Region) and workshop coordinator Larry Maybee said: "Singapore is very active in naval operations in the region and also overseas (such as anti-piracy operations). So I think it s indicative of the range of maritime operations that are undertaken by Singapore and other countries in the region.

"(Hence) I thought that Singapore would be ideally situated in terms of its involvement in multilateral events and in ASEAN, and its relations with other countries in the region to co-organise the event."

During the workshop, participants attended lectures delivered by professionals from the ICRC, academia and military.

Colonel (COL) Giam Hock Koon, Commander Maritime Security Task Force (MSTF), delivered a lecture on Singapore's Experience in Anti-Piracy Operations (RSN & CTF 151), during which he emphasised Singapore's commitment to international security: "Singapore takes our international responsibilities and commitments seriously. We have, over the years, participated in a series of international operations, including, in 1989, the UN Transition Assistance Group (and) the recent counter-piracy operations off Somalia. We will continue to contribute within our means in useful ways, towards multinational efforts to maintain international security."

One of the aims of the regional workshop was to encourage dialogue and the sharing of experiences and ideas, as COL David Chua, Head SAF Operations Planning Group, reiterated in his closing remarks: "We come to this workshop, not just to go through the deep content and to become better equipped, but to make friends and build international networks.

"Workshops like this enable the sharing of knowledge, of minds, of principles . . . (to) build that mutual understanding, that mutual trust, and friendships that will help you when you face situations where legal frameworks don't quite help you to meet your objectives."

During the course of the workshop, the attendees also participated actively in small-group discussions, where they had the opportunity to work together on hypothetical scenarios.

Many attendees found the interaction useful. Said US Navy Commander (CDR) David Morales, Deputy Director for Operations, Logistics Group Western Pacific, United States Pacific Command: "The workshop was an excellent opportunity for maritime professionals from Asia-Pacific to get together and discuss important topics and share best practices.

"I am a naval planner and am familiar with many of the topics discussed this week as part of my daily work. I look forward to sharing feedback from this conference with my colleagues and helping them understand regional perspectives on important legal issues."

Fellow workshop attendee Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Khoong Hock Tai, Head Operations and Exercise Branch, MSTF, agreed: "Almost everyone comes here with a different experience and different considerations. It s a good forum for us to enlighten ourselves on the key concerns that each nation has. It helps if we have to operate together in future."