L-R: Franz Fayot, Luxembourg's Minister of Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs; Louise Debugne, humanitarian law project manager for the Luxembourg Red Cross;
Credit: MNHM
On Thursday 30 June 2022, Luxembourg's National Museum of Military History (Musée National d'Histoire Militaire - MNMH), located in Diekirch, inaugurated a new thematic route titled "Law in War", in collaboration with the Luxembourg Red Cross.
The inauguration on Thursday evening took the form of a guided tour, led by Louise Debugne, humanitarian law project manager for the Luxembourg Red Cross, Ben Ferring, MNHM historian, and Frank Rockenbrod, President of MNHM Asbl. The guests of honour on this occasion were Luxembourg's Minister of Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs, Franz Fayot, the President of the Humanitarian Aid of the Luxembourg Red Cross, Dr. Robert Goerens, the Mayor of Diekirch, Claude Thill, and alderman René Kanivé, as well as MNHM Director Benoît Niederkorn.
"'Law in War' is the most recent of the activities of the Luxembourg Red Cross aimed at raising awareness among the Luxembourg public of international humanitarian law and its underlying values. 'Law in War' introduces visitors to the MNHM to the key principles of the law of war. It invites visitors to become aware of the importance of respecting it in order to guarantee human dignity in times of war", explained Louise Debugne.
The permanent exhibition of the MNHM illustrates the experience of the Second World War in Luxembourg. The Humanitarian Aid of the Luxembourg Red Cross and the MNHM have set up this "Law in War" route parallel to the permanent exhibition. It introduces the key principles and concepts of international humanitarian law while emphasising their importance today.
"The National Museum of Military History is characterised by its various approaches to the Second World War and to Luxembourg's military history. The deepening in the field of international humanitarian law offers the visitor an additional perspective which was not taken into account in Luxembourg until now", stated Frank Rockenbrod.
As of Friday 1 July 2022, the "Law in War" thematic route is accessible to the general public. It comes in the form of an audio guide through the izi.TRAVEL platform, on site and / or remotely. English, Luxembourgish and French versions are available.
