The
Roles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in
Times of War
The
military confrontation in Iraq brings attention to
the roles of components of the International Red Cross
and Red Crescent Movement. As such, it is important
to understand the role of the Movement components,
including the American Red Cross at home, overseas
during military action and in rendering humanitarian
aid to the affected populations.
The
International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
is comprised of the International Committee of the
Red Cross (ICRC), the International Federation of
Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (Federation)
and 179 national Red Cross and Red Crescent national
societies which includes the American Red Cross.
Based
on our Fundamental Principles, Red Cross and Red Crescent
national societies may not take sides in hostilities
or engage in political, racial, religious or ideological
controversies. When controversies of such nature present
themselves, whether quietly or on a community or nationwide
stage, the members of the International Red Cross
and Red Crescent Movement must remain neutral and
provide impartial humanitarian services to victims
of conflicts.
International
Committee of the Red Cross
Based on the Geneva Conventions and other agreements,
the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
acts as the lead agency for the Movement during times
of armed conflict. The Geneva Conventions are international
treaties that mandate that vulnerable people not actively
taking part in an armed conflict (such as: prisoners
of war, sick and wounded soldiers and civilians) must
be protected and their rights respected. The ICRC:
- Provides
food, water, emergency relief and medical assistance
to civilians without access to these basic necessities.
- Coordinates
humanitarian relief efforts of the Movement in areas
directly affected by conflict.
- Visits
prisoners of war and civilian detainees held in
relation to conflict to ensure that their conditions
and treatment comply with the basic principles laid
out in international humanitarian law.
- Conducts
searches for missing persons.
- Exchanges
messages to and from members of separated families.
- Reunites
separated families.
- Helps
to establish neutral and protected hospital and
security zones in areas of conflict.
- Provides
surgical equipment to hospitals for war-wounded
and basic supplies to ensure that hospitals continue
to operate during conflict.
- Through
direct and confidential dialogue, reminds all sides
participating in hostilities of their obligations
under international humanitarian law - namely to
respect and protect those not or no longer taking
part in the fighting.
- Through
direct and confidential dialogue, draws attention
(to parties of the conflict) to serious violations
of international humanitarian law and encourages
respect for international humanitarian law.
- Educates
the public about international humanitarian law
and the role of the ICRC in conflict (to encourage
respect for the red cross and red crescent emblems)
and contributes to the development of humanitarian
law.
International Federation of Red Cross and Red
Crescent Societies
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent
Societies (Federation) is the membership association
and international coordination arm for the 179 national
Red Cross and Red Crescent societies throughout the
world. Cooperation among national societies gives the
Federation the ability to assist those most in need.
The Federation endeavors to support its member national
societies through capacity building. When the needs
of people affected by disaster exceed the capacity of
their national society, the Federation helps coordinate
the international response of other national societies.
During conflicts the Federation works under the leadership
of the ICRC to provide humanitarian assistance as necessary.
The American Red
Cross (one of the 179 recognized national societies)
As part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent
Movement, the American Red Cross supports the provision
of humanitarian relief to war victims during an armed
conflict. This support includes offering assistance
to civilians affected by the conflict and works with
the ICRC to provide tracing and Red Cross message
services on behalf of prisoners of war and separated
civilians. Assistance is provided in accordance with
the Red Cross fundamental principles of humanity,
impartiality and neutrality.
The
American Red Cross also has a long history of offering
support to the families of U.S. military personnel
during times of peace and war. Putting families in
touch with their loved ones in the armed forces during
times of family crisis is a service that the American
Red Cross is required to provide as mandated in its
congressional charter.
In
upholding the Fundamental Principles, including neutrality
and impartiality, the American Red Cross does not
take sides regarding the merits of any armed conflict.
American Red Cross workers who deploy to U.S. military
installations are civilians who do not carry weapons.
They accompany the armed forces without actually being
members of the military and provide emergency communications
and other essential services.
The
Geneva Conventions and the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross promotes and advocates respect
for the protections of the Geneva Conventions and
customary international humanitarian law, especially
during times of armed conflict. These protections
stipulate humanitarian treatment without discrimination
for wounded and sick members of the armed forces on
land and at sea, prisoners of war and civilians. As
a member of the Movement, the American Red Cross calls
upon all governments to respect their obligations
as defined in the Geneva Conventions and stresses
the need to allow the ICRC to carry out its protective
role.
Civilians
displaced by conflict are especially vulnerable. They
may be internally displaced persons within their native
country or they may have been forced out of their
country by the conflict and become refugees. In the
event of war, humanitarian support to these displaced
populations becomes a critical service of the International
Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
Quiet
Diplomacy
The American Red Cross, and the International Red
Cross and Red Crescent Movement as a whole, avoids
publicly assigning fault or judging the behavior of
governments with respect to violations of international
humanitarian law.
Public
statements alleging violations of the Geneva Conventions
could jeopardize the Movement’s neutrality.
In particular, the efforts of the ICRC to gain access
to prisoners of war or provide other critical protection
and assistance services could be compromised. Instead,
the ICRC, as the lead agency in cases of armed conflict,
follows a strategy of “quiet diplomacy,”
working directly with the governments involved to
achieve an appropriate level of recognition and respect
for international humanitarian law.
Impartiality
The American Red Cross does not discriminate in its
service delivery on the basis of nationality, race,
religious belief, class or political opinion. Services
are provided on the basis of need, giving priority
to the most urgent cases of distress.
International
Humanitarian Law Classes
Courses on the Geneva Conventions, the Fundamental
Principles, and international humanitarian law are
offered by American Red Cross chapters. To take a
class, please contact the American Red Cross Central
Virginia Chapter at (434) 979-7143.
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