Students of the Milton Margai School for the Blind over the weekend received the Braille version of the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) booklet after it was launched by the Head of Delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Christoph Hartmann at the school at Wilkinson Road.
Launching the booklet, Mr Hartmann said that IHL is just common sense because it is sense that one applies during conflict. He added that IHL is not only there to prosecute defaulters but also to protect and prevent those who are not part of a conflict and so the Braille booklet is launched in the education of blind children in knowing about international law.
The ICRC head of delegation urged the pupils to use the book for its intended purposes “read, enjoy and learn about the court.”
In her statement which was read by a staff of the Special Court, the Deputy Registrar Binta Mansaray said that there are other booklets which have been translated into Braille and this includes the Special Court agreement, and the ratification act.
She said that the booklet will be in the library for the purpose of reading and therefore called on the pupils to use the book in a way that those coming after them will be able to use it again. She maintained that the Special Court and the education center of the school for the blind came together to do this version of the IHL. The booklet she added will be of utmost importance to the pupils as well as the teachers because they can learn more about IHL in the Braille format. On behalf of the board members Rev. Christopher Samuels said that the event is historic in the sense that those “who does not know how the blind feels now know what it’s like to be blind.” He said “we the blind don’t need your sympathy but rather we want action and we want action now.”
By Betty Milton
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