INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS

Red Cross Movement-ICRC mandate and operations17 November, 2014Dr. Rajeev Sadana,

Sr. Cooperation AdvisorICRC Regional Delegation, New Delhi

Moving on…

The International Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement History

Fundamental Principles and Emblem

ICRC Status, Mandate, Mode of Operation

ICRC across the world

ICRC in India

ICRC with Indian Red Cross Society

BRIEF HISTORY

1862

1864

1875

1863

1859

THE RED CROSS/RED CRESCENT MOVEMENT

National Societies

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

International Committee of the Red Cross

National Societies• German Red Cross (1863) – First NS

• National Humanitarian organizations

• Auxiliaries to own Government

• Millions of volunteers

• Programme varies according to needs

• South Sudan (2013) – Youngest NS

• 189 National Societies

IFRC

• League of Red Cross founded in 1919 by President of American Red Cross war committee, 1991 name changed to IFRC

• Founding members: National Societies of Britain, France, Italy, Japan and USA

• Headquarters in Geneva,189 National Societies and 60 delegations

Movement Coordination• All Movement components meet regularly to

discuss common/important issues

• Council of Delegates – Once in two years includes ICRC, IFRC and National Societies to adopt resolutions on Movement action and advocacy

• The International Conference at Geneva – Once in 4 years includes National Societies, State Parties to Geneva Conventions, IFRC and ICRC

• International Conference is the highest delibrative body

Humanity

FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES

Impartiality

Independence

Universality

Voluntary Service

Unity

Neutrality

History Reverse of the colors of Swiss Flag

X

g

Emblems

Emblem 1859: (Solferino) highlighted need for a uniform emblem for the army medical services to distinguish from parties in conflict

1863:International Conference in Geneva adopted a Red Cross on a white background as the sign for Societies providing relief to wounded soliders

1864 – Geneva Convention, the Red Cross officially recognised as a Movement symbol

1876 – Red Crescent used for first time by Turkey during conflict between Russia and Turkey

1929 – Authorization for the use of the Red Crescent (by most Islamic countries) and the Red Lion (Iran) as emblems

1949 – Confirmation of emblems in Geneva convention

1965 – First regulation on the use of emblem by NSs

1980 – Iran adopts the Red Crescent

2006 – An additional emblem of Red Crystal

Nature of Emblem

• A neutral sign

• Confers protection to the Army Medical Services and the members of International Red Cross Red Crescent Movement

• Not emblem of medical professionals and its use is regulated by International and National laws.

• Responsibility of governments to ensure respect for emblem

Uses

Uses of the emblemProtective – Visible sign in arms conflict given to medical services, equipments and buildings of the armed forces under international law.

Indicative – NSs use to identify themselves as part of global network. Used during peacetime.

The rules for both are precise.

Misuse• Perfidious use of emblem to betray confidence of

adversary in military action

• Government and Private -hospitals, dispensieries, clinics, nursing homes and blood bank

• Pharmecuticals

• Traditional healers and herbalists

• Organisations operating ambulance servies

Misuse of Emblem

Respect for Emblem

Misuse diminishes its protective value

Destroy the delicate mechanism established by IHL (Humanitarian assistance to victims)

Diminishes the credibility of our Fundamental Principles.

Responsibility of the government to ensure respect the emblem.

Use of Emblem in India• India ratified Geneva Conventions in 1950

• Indian law regulating the use of emblem is the Geneva Conventions Act.

• Parliament of India made law in 1960 on use of emblem.

• Misuse of the emblem is a punishable offence in India.

• Punishment of Rs. 500, besides provision of forefeiture of goods/vehicles on which emblem is used without authorisation.

Displaced

Victimisation of

Detainees

Wounded

Missing

CONSEQUENCES OF DISASTER/EMERGENCY

Destroyed

shelter,

infrastructure

Need for food,

shelterSick

ICRC Legal status

NGO Inter-governmental Organisation

NEUTRAL, IMPARTIAL and INDEPENDENT organization

withINTERNATIONAL MANDATE AND

DUTIES

States have entrusted the ICRC with specific tasks under Geneva Conventions

ICRC's exclusively humanitarian mission is to protect the lives and dignity of victims of armed conflict and internal violence and to provide them with assistance. It also promotes respect for international humanitarian law and its implementation in national law.

ICRC’S MANDATE

PROTECTASSISTPROMOTE

Lives and Dignity of victims of Armed Conflict and Violence

Victims

Respect for International Humanitarian Law

MODE OF OPERATION

PROXIMITY

DIALOGUE

COMPLIMENTARY

PRINCIPLED

CONFIDENTIAL

ACCESS

MODE OF OPERATION

The ICRC acts…

• In close proximity to victims• In dialogue with all parties and actors • In complementarity with other humanitarian

agencies• In accordance with the 7 principles of the RC/RC

Movement• CONFIDENTIALITY is the key

ICRC – A NEUTRAL INTERMEDIARY

33 foreign journalists and 2 foreign nationals evacuated in Tripoli

FACILITATES RELEASE OF HOSTAGES DOES NOT NEGOTIATE RELEASE

ICRC ACROSS THE WORLD

60 DELEGATIONS

80 COUNTRIES

11000

EMPLOYEES

ICRC IN INDIA – Since 1918

THE ICRC IN INDIA

In India, the ICRC has been active in India since 1918, mainly visiting prisoners of war (POWs) and other detainees.

The ICRC remained active in India during the 20th century: World War II, partition time between India and Pakistan, Sino-Indian conflict (1962), independence of Bangladesh (1971).

It established its permanent Regional Delegation for South Asia in 1982 in New Delhi.

PROTECTIONASSISTANCE COOPERATIONPREVENTION

Armed Forces

Civil Society

Authorities

ACTIVITIES

ICRC AND INDIA

INTEGRATION OF IHL INTO THEIR DOCTRINE, EDUCATION & TRAINING

INDIAN SECURITY FORCES

ICRC IN INDIA

VISITING DETAINEES IN J&K

PHYSICAL REHABILITATION ACTIVITIES

COOPERATION WITH THE INDIAN RED CROSS SOCIETY

ICRC in India works with:

• Indian Red Cross Society• Academic Circles – legal and non-legal• Journalists/Media• Armed forces and the paramilitary• Institutions working on physical

rehabilitation• Government authorities• Other Civil society actors

ICRC and IRCS

• Indian Red Cross Society is ICRC’s primary and natural partner

• 2014 – Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, J&K, Jharkhand, Nagaland, Odisha, Manipur, Maharashtra, Nagaland, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, U.P., West Bengal (13 states)

Programmes with the IRCS

• First Aid and First Medical Respnder• Staff/members/volunteers trainings• Dissemination of RC principles, emblem• Youth education programmes• Family News Services/Tracing• Support to the post graduate diploma

course since its first batch in 2006• Communication activities

ICRC AND INDIA