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U.S. Service Members Conduct Human Rights Training with Djibouti Military

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS070411-15
Release Date: 4/11/2007 4:36:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Mary Popejoy, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa Public Affairs

CAMP LEMONIER, Djibouti (NNS) -- Lawyers from Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa’s (CJTF-HOA) Staff Judge Advocate’s Office administered human rights training to 52 members of the Djiboutian Rapid Action Regiment and Presidential Republican Guard on April 7.

The purpose of the training is to help service members identify and stop human rights violations before they occur. Research shows soldiers on the ground are the most likely to see things out of the ordinary, or be ordered to do something that may be a violation of international law.

According to Legalman 1st Class (SW/AW) Nita Holliday, being able to be here and share what is acceptable and what isn’t according to the Geneva and Hague conventions is extremely important, especially in today’s society.

“Mistreatment is considered acceptable in many societies. In order to make the world a more humane place, human rights training is important so that they know what it is and how to prevent violations,” she said.

During the training session, the Djiboutian military learned that respect for human rights is consistent with military success and its part of the soldier’s duty to comply with the law of war.

The soldiers also learned that violating human rights indicates lack of command control and discipline and undercuts the legitimacy of the government and the mission. By arming them with a good understanding of human rights, training organizers hope the Djiboutian military will be able to go into battle and know what is and isn’t acceptable during a time of war.

“As the world becomes a smaller place with real time access to facts, stories and pictures, the international community is looking ever more closely at what goes on within the boundaries of sovereign nations, as well as those crimes committed during international conflicts,” said Navy Lt. Tahmika Jackson, assistant Staff Judge Advocate.

“Internationally accepted objectives have parameters concerning the treatment of people, even during conflict. Legitimacy of purpose and process are created when you put forward your position while playing by the rules,” she added.

According to Marine Maj. Scott Manning, deputy Staff Judge Advocate, this type of training is beneficial to the students and the teachers.

“It is important for all military services of every nation to learn about human rights because we are the legitimate combat forces for our countries,” he said.

The focus of the training was human rights, but in the end it was an opportunity to engage an ally and form friendships.

“This training strengthens our relationship with Djibouti and other militaries we train by creating bonds and relationships. If nothing else you shake hands, you share stories and discuss relevant issues that often as not reveal some cultural differences,” said Jackson.

“It also gives us an opportunity to display our diversity of force, women and men of all races in all positions within our military. Training like this humanizes us and if someone can think of us as human, just like them, the next step is to see us as a friend, resource and ally. It’s all about relationship building,” she said.

CJTF-HOA is a unit of U.S. Central Command. The organization conducts operations and training to assist partner nations to combat terrorism in order to establish a secure environment and enable regional stability. More than 1,500 people from each branch of the U.S. military, civilian employees, coalition forces and partner nations make up the CJTF-HOA organization.

The area of responsibility for CJTF-HOA includes the countries of Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Seychelles, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.