What about the principle of neutrality? Humanity, impartiality, neutrality, and independence have become household names in the humanitarian community. 97, No. Shortly following the creation of the South Sudan Red Cross, the country was plunged into armed conflict. The National Society was then able to operate on both sides of the conflict without any problem, and the staff were able to move around safely. - Online casebook icrc.org Contact IHL Databases Download casebook Order book The Law The practice Pedagogical resources A to Z About Principles of International Humanitarian Law See Fundamental principles of International Humanitarian Law; CASE And how can anyone speak to all sides of a conflict? On 13 . We trust that the EU's further efforts and initiatives will not change this position. As it stands, the European Consensus on humanitarian aid states at the outset that " collectively the EU is the leading humanitarian donor in the world and Europeans are strongly committed to supporting humanitarian action " . What are the respective aims of IHL and the humanitarian principles? The Head of State just signed it because he happened to be the Head of State at that particular time. Fundamental principles of IHL International humanitarian law is the branch of international law that seeks to impose limits on the destruction and suffering caused by armed conflict. Of course, the most difficult and challenging time that we went through was during the outbreak of the conflict in early 2013. Projecting credible independence and neutrality requires maintaining a sustained dialogue with all actors involved in armed conflicts however they may be qualified by the international community. Humanitarian principles: Operational relevance (3), 4. The Registered Agent on file for this company is Jenifer Wolf Williams and is located at 3612 Christopher Lane, Richardson, TX 75082. ), Find out more about saving to your Kindle, Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511755958.007. Yet, humanitarian action was born not from an abstract idea but on the battlefield. Many of the resources are taken from the 2015 edition of the Advanced Seminar in IHL for University Lecturers and Researchers. In South Sudan, we work as a Movement: the ICRC, the IFRC and the National Society; we present ourselves to the public and the authorities as one entity and as one movement even though we have different technical ways of working and different mandates. The Cycle aimed at fostering a global discussion around principled humanitarian action and their concrete implications on the ground. This Advanced IHL Learning Series provides lecturers with a wide range of resources to understand and teach these issues. of your Kindle email address below. ImpartialityIt makes no discrimination as to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinions. At the International Committee of the Red Cross, we are acutely aware that impartial humanitarian organizations are not immune from hostilities. The videos feature lectures by speakers at the seminar, and discussions between them and participants. Who are they addressed to? In a fluid situation it is necessary to lay down rules of behaviour which must be respected by everyone, from the [ICRC] President down to the last delegate. The South Sudan Red Cross is a relatively young National Society, created a little over ten years ago with the independence of South Sudan. In this post, ICRC Director-General Robert Mardini carves out a space for debate with a new series: Back to basics: humanitarian principles in contemporary armed conflict, calling on partners to contribute to this important discussion. Apply to Social Work Supervisor, Early Childhood Teacher, Sponsorship Manager and more! We use cookies to distinguish you from other users and to provide you with a better experience on our websites. better understand the ideals and spirit guiding the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, explain the origin, purpose and relevance of the principles, grasp the respective natures of, and understand the interplay between, humanitarian principles and IHL principles, distinguish between the substantive, operational and institutional nature of the principles, identify how the Geneva Conventions and other sources of IHL stipulate how relief activities are to be conducted in conformity with the humanitarian principles, identify and discuss current challenges to contemporary humanitarian action. When the volunteers arrived, they were unfortunately attacked by some of the internally displaced people (IDPs) there, and two of them were severely beaten. Analysis / Back to basics: humanitarian principles in contemporary armed conflict / Call for contributions / Humanitarian Action / Law and Conflict John Lobor, 13 mins read Tags: contemporary armed conflict, humanitarian principles, ICRC, neutrality, Red Cross Red Crescent, Ukraine, 9 mins read It is not enough to call upon great humanitarian principles. Humanitarian principles Humanity: Human suffering must be addressed whenever it is found. This obviously only works if belligerents and armed groups can trust that the ICR C is pursuing an exclusively humanitarian mission. States have a very important political role to play in preventing and solving conflicts and creating the political conditions so that populations can recover from disaster. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. We cannot allow you to come and provide services to us. You could think that they are therefore a thing of the past and have no relevance in today's world of internal conflicts between governments and rebel forces like in Sri Lanka or Colombia; of conflicts taking place in countries where the State has all but collapsed like in Somalia; or conflicts characterised by a highly fragmented list of belligerents like in Darfur. NeutralityIn order to continue to enjoy the confidence of all, the Movement may not take sides in hostilities or engage at any time in controversies of a political, racial, religious or ideological nature. My next question is about the relationship between the South Sudan National Society and the United Nations, which has been present in the country focusing on the protection of civilians. To save content items to your account, The National Societies, while auxiliaries in the humanitarian services of their governments and subject to the laws of their respective countries, must always maintain their autonomy so that they may be able at all times to act in accordance with the principles of the Movement. They were devised to win the trust, or at least acceptance, of all: neutrality commands that we not take sides, and independence means determining needs and making operational decisions autonomously, irrespective of any other considerations. By entering this website, you consent to the use of technologies, such as cookies and analytics, to customise content, advertising and provide social media features. I can give you one clear example, from Juba, where when the conflict broke out, the UN set up protection of civilians (POC) sites where people who saw themselves at risk of persecution fled. The Advanced IHL Learning Series are a resource for lecturers and trainers who wish to keep abreast of the latest developments in international humanitarian law (IHL) and other related areas. When we got the report the next day, I went together with a colleague from the ICRC. please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. Required and suggested readings: before watching the videos, lecturers and humanitarian professionals are invited to familiarize themselves with the topic by working their way through the required and suggested reading.2. 22 of the Hague Regulations, that "the right of belligerents to adopt means of injuring the enemy is not unlimited." If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. These principles and policies allow us to situate the organization more clearly in international relations by allowing us to distinguish the ICRC's role, strategy, and tactics from other relevant actors. As with many conflicts in the past, the Ukraine crisis has revived heated discussions on the humanitarian principles and their relevance in contemporary armed conflict. While humanity and impartiality are principles that most, if not all, humanitarian actors adhere to, independence and neutrality are more complex. Yet, meeting conflict-related needs is challenging, as crisis tends to come hand in hand with high levels of mistrust, division and violence, all of which can hinder humanitarian action. Humanitarian principles need to be respected and promoted more than ever. Tags: humanitarian principles, IFRC, IHL, Red Cross Red Crescent, South Sudan, South Sudan Red Cross, 12 mins read Moreover, in specific situations - in the case of occupation, for example -, armed forces have a legal obligation (under international humanitarian law) to provide the essential goods and services for the survival of the civilian population under their control. is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings So those were two important principles that we had to refer to in terms of the recruitment. Each of these different approaches have their place and fulfill a specific function. Since 2001 we have also heard the argument that, what some call the " Global war on terrorism " launched in the wake of 9/11 would make these principles obsolete. The art of influencing: how to maximize impact in a complex, interconnected world In a previous place, in a previous life, I was surrounded by a hooded and masked mob about twenty to thirty strong, slowly closing in on me and clearly offering me the opportunity of curtailed life expectancy. This support will indeed be crucial in our collective efforts to preserve space for impartial, neutral and independent humanitarian action. The choice of criteria for the selection of partners put forward by the European Consensus as proposed by the Commission - professionalism, capacity to respond to identified needs (including presence and access); and adherence to the humanitarian principles is addressing precisely that issue. It establishes, in the words of Art. In Iraq too, we have been present during the Iran-Iraqwar that lasted 8 years, the first Gulf War in the early 1990s, and then the period of international sanctions. We are keen to hear from local organizations on how they operate in highly polarized environments; and from States on how their view of principles might have evolved over the years, notably in the context of the so-called war on terror. And of course, as a country that was emerging from and about to enter a new armed conflict, the principle of neutrality was very important for us to press upon our volunteers to ensure that we are not perceived to take sides in the conflict or engage in political dialogue that might compromise the integrity and perception of the National Society. The situation has been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. IHL and humanitarian principles: Introduction (2), 5. The course is divided into several sessions. Humanitarian Outreach For Migrant Emotional Health is a Texas Domestic Non-Profit Corporation filed On October 6, 2020. We explained that the two emblems, the Red Cross and the Red Crescent Movement, have the same weight and the same meaning. From the beginning, the ICRC approach to protecting war victims left itself open to the charge that it was in bed with governments and their bellicose policy makers. The work of the ICRC is based on the Geneva Conventions of 1949, their Additional Protocols, its Statutes - and those of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement - and the resolutions of the International But when it comes to partnering in implementing activities, we were very cautious not to engage with the UN because they had their own challenges in terms of restrictions by the government, by the opposition, or even sometimes by the population. In the international community one finds numerous actors dealing from time to time with humanitarian affairs states, United Nations organs and agencies, Doctors Without Borders, Amnesty International, the European Union's Humanitarian Office, and so on. Analysis / Back to basics: humanitarian principles in contemporary armed conflict / Humanitarian Action / Law and Conflict, The ICRC in Israel, Golan, West Bank, Gaza, Cross-Files | ICRC Archives, audiovisual and library, Back to basics: humanitarian principles in contemporary armed conflict, Climate change, conflict and humanitarian action, Avoiding civilian harm during military cyber operations, Humanitarian principles in action: a Q&A with the South Sudan Red Cross. We are convinced that it is this strictly neutral approach that allows us to continue our work in Darfur, where we provide assistance to hundreds of thousands of IDPs and isolated civilians in Gereida and many other places. At the end of the day, principled humanitarian action, when it works and is allowed to work, saves lives. The principle of neutrality is key, particularly if you are close to the conflict. This is not how we see it. We also had to keep in mind the principle of unity there can only be one National Society, Red Cross or Red Crescent, within the Republic of South Sudan, and it must be open to all. the contributions highlight three important dimensions of the principles guiding humanitarian action: (1) they function simultaneously as "tools to do the job" - providing a compass to navigate through difficult choices in situations of conflicts and violence (2) as "identity catalysts" - resulting from the experience of humanitarian workers, To help ensure a smooth transition, we began working with the ICRC and the IFRC delegation in Sudan to lobby for a law that would recognize the South Sudan Red Cross and provide legitimacy as a national humanitarian organization in accordance with the Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. Humanity, impartiality, neutrality, and independence have become household names in the humanitarian community. @free.kindle.com emails are free but can only be saved to your device when it is connected to wi-fi. Specific teaching tools on IHL and humanitarian principles. I will therefore focus my argument on these two : independence and neutrality. Discussions about our neutrality in the Ukraine crisis jarred many of us at the ICRC, myself included, and reminded us that perhaps we have been taking for granted a universal acceptance and understanding of the bedrock of our everyday work: the humanitarian principles. IndependenceThe Movement is independent. Further reading and resources: lecturers and humanitarian professionals are encouraged to further explore the topic via additional resources (e.g. It must be open to all. However, this response has to be coordinated towards effective action and based on the real capacities of the various organizations; this includes their effective and timely access to the persons in need of assista nce, and the appropriate human resources and logistical capacities. Humanitarian principles in action: a Q&A with the South Sudan Red Cross by ICRC Humanitarian Law & Policy Blog published on 2022-11-17T08:36:33Z On the eve of the declaration of independence by the Republic of South Sudan in 2011, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement welcomed the establishment of a new National Red Cross Society - the . Steward's Transformative Health Care. The first four principles humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence have come to embody international humanitarian action. We were very cautious about our relationship, particularly during the conflict. Are the principles generally accepted from the beginning by volunteers and staff, or does it sometimes take a bit more training or discussion in order for them to be accepted by the team? Having read the article of this interview, it is really eye-capturing and full of many experiences the NS volunteers, staff, and members have undergone since its inception back in 2011. In 1965, drawing on more than a century of experience, the International Red Cross Red Crescent Movement developed an ethical and operational framework to guide and enable its work, notably in highly polarized situations: the seven Fundamental Principles of the Movement. The Humanitarian Principles - YouTube The EU is committed to promoting global respect and compliance with International Humanitarian Law, together with the Humanitarian Principles -. Does IHL refer to the principles? What's more, various non-humanitarian actors use the label humanitarian to describe their activities. While UN sanctions are not intended to negatively impact the delivery of humanitarian please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. Volunteers of the South Sudan Red Cross Society take care of one of three siblings injured by gunshots, that are being evacuated by the ICRC by plane, together with their mother. UniversalityThe International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, in which all Societies have equal status and share equal responsibilities and duties in helping each other, is worldwide. They said this is the same government that was attacking us. These principles are not primarily moral values, but rather a means to secure access to those who suffer the brunt of conflict and violence and to enhance the effectiveness of aid. 41 Humanitarian jobs available in City of Richardson, TX on Indeed.com. Humanity and impartiality are substantive principles providing a moral compass: humanitarian action aims to prevent and alleviate suffering (humanity) and is driven solely by needs, irrespective of nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinions (impartiality). We meet in the cluster meetings, shared information and so on. They told us the reason for the attack was that the South Sudan Red Cross was created by a law signed by President Salva Kiir. 897/898, How Does Law Protect in War, Humanitarian Access and IHL, How Does Law Protect in War, Fundamental principles of IHL, How Does law Protect in War, Red Cross and Red Crescent Principles, How Does law Protect in War, Humanitarian Assistance, ICRC Research and Debate Cycle on Principles Guiding Humanitarian Action, Code of conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Disaster Relief, ICRC statement, Humanitarian Principles the importance of their preservation during humanitarian crises (2007), Report and audio recording of the ICRC panel discussion Humanitarian principles revisited? With such an informed public I don't need to expand on the principles themselves. UnityThere can be only one Red Cross or one Red Crescent Society in any one country. Its not really that often from the first day that people genuinely comprehend the principles. Tensions run high during conflict anywhere, and many of your volunteers have likely been directly affected by the violence in South Sudan. The federal tax exemption for Humanitarian Environmental Animal Team was automatically revoked on 15 November, 2016 for not filing a form 990-series return or notice for three consecutive years. The company's filing status is listed as In Existence and its File Number is 0803789521. In a fluid situation it is necessary to lay down rules of behaviour which must be respected by everyone, from the [ICRC] President down to the last delegate. We have all been reminded how the principles, in particular the principle of neutrality, can lead to misunderstanding and even outrage and why they nonetheless remain such a valuable compass and operational tool in highly polarized situations. There she was responsible for advising headquarters and field colleagues on legal issues relating to: the protection of civilians in armed conflict, especially children; assistance activities; multinational forces; occupation; and private military/security companies. After a long discussion, they came to understand, and apologized for what had happened. It is encouraging to see that EU members and other states increasingly refer to the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, independence, and impartiality. Freymond, "Humanitarian Policy and Pragmatism," Government and Opposition, 11 (Autumn, 1976), 425 We explained that we can only have one National Society, and that the army of South Sudan had already been using the Red Cross as an emblem of the medical corps of the military. The ICRC helps those affected by armed conflict and promotes compliance with international humanitarian law. From 1948 to the war in Lebanon in 2006, the ICRC has been active in all conflicts between Israel and its neighbours, as much as it has remained operational in the Palestinian occupied territories ever since 1967 and throughout many troubled events and periods stretching from the Black September in 1970 to the second Intifada and the present critical situation in Gaza. Principles of International Humanitarian Law | How does law protect in war? The first four principles - humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence - have come to embody international humanitarian action. In such cases, a clear and unambiguous separation from military objectives must of course be ensured. At the end of the series, users will be able to: 1. I think now with the peace gradually returning to South Sudan, maybe the perception by other authorities or other sides towards the UN will change. But of course, we still continue to build on that, because the credibility of the National Society depends on how we interpret and apply this principle in our day-to-day work. To set the stage, we can focus briefly on two fundamental subjects: the ICRC's core role of humanizing war, and the relevance to the organization of the official seven Red Cross principles. The ICRC will of course welcome such a commitment. This flows from the principle of State sovereignty, general international law and the human rights obligations of States. This trust is increasingly difficult to build as the foundations of humanitarian aid are being called into question by various stakeholders. This article begins by describing the history and development of the humanitarian principles; it then explains how the strategic choices of the ICRC are informed by these principles, and what the consequences are for the organization's capacity to act in favour of victims of armed conflicts. So the fact that Salva Kiir signed the law does not mean that organization belongs to him. The ICRC, while not ruling out the possibility of some type of cooperation with most of these, cooperates (or not) according to a particular set of principles and policies. Development or peace actors are driven by yet another set of ambitions. It is the strict and predictable adherence to the humanitarian principles by several generations of ICRC delegates that has made this possible. We hope that the European Consensus will recognise this by encouraging all humanitarian actors to document their distinctive comparative advantages in responding to particular situations and needs. The ICRC has historically marched to its own drummer. Prior to that, she spent seven years as legal adviser at the ICRC. It is not always easy, but if you do not uphold the principle of neutrality, and you are perceived to be allied with X, Y or Z, you will directly jeopardize your objective of providing support to the most critically affected people. The principles are hierarchically organized and offer both an ethical and an operational framework. What is the normative framework governing relief operations? on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. On the eve of the declaration of independence by the Republic of South Sudan in 2011, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement welcomed the establishment of a new National Red Cross Society the South Sudan Red Cross. Thus there are certain principles, such as those of humanity and of non-discrimination, which in a sense are common to both. The principles are hierarchically organized and offer both an ethical and an operational framework. Analysis / Back to basics: humanitarian principles in contemporary armed conflict / Humanitarian Action / Law and Conflict milie Charpentier, 10 mins read The ICRC focusing on its exclusively humanitarian mission deliberately abstained from any action or declaration that could be interpreted as taking sides for one party or the other. For the same reasons, they should also avoid fully integrating humanitarian action into their political, military, or economic response to crises. From our experience in this part of the world we should perhaps add an additional humanitarian principle: perseverance. That a tension exists between the simplicity of the humanitarian principles and the difficulties associated with their application is beyond dispute. For this post, as part of our series 'Back to basics: humanitarian principles in contemporary armed conflict', we sat down with John Lobor, the Secretary General of the South Sudan Red Cross . So the principles of humanity, of impartiality, of unity, of neutrality, and then independence making our own decisions in terms of determining the priorities of populations were all key in setting up the South Sudan Red Cross. Introduction to IHL and humanitarian principles. Read more about what we do and who we are. IHL and humanitarian principles: Future challenges and perspectives (3), ICRC booklet The Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, E-briefing on Principles guiding humanitarian action, ICRC workshop on humanitarian principles and action, International Review of the Red Cross, Principles guiding humanitarian action, Vol. Let me assure you: the ICRC is not overlooking the fact that there can be situations where humanitarian organizations are not in a position to carry out their activities, and the military might be compelled to build a bridge, drill a well, or otherwise provide logistical means to bring urgent assistance to those in need. Lecturers are encouraged to use them to integrate the topic in their course or training.4. In fact, neutrality does not command silence: humanitarians can and have publicly condemned actions, such as the bombing of a hospital, without compromising their neutrality. The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Humanitarian Environmental Animal Team is 471008531. The secession of South Sudan from the north in January 2011 paved the way for our new National Society in the south. Still, the primary duty of the armed forces is to preserve the safety and security of the civilian population during military operations and - as the law says to " grant to the ICRC all facilities within their power so as to enable it to carry out the humanitarian functions assigned to it () " . It is therefore an important aspect of our policy on staff security. IHL and humanitarian principles: Addressees and sources (17), 6. What does back to basics mean for gender and the fundamental principles? Today, despite very difficult circumstances, we continue to do our utmost to alleviate the suffering of the Iraqi population. Humanitarian principles: Origins and definition (15), 3. Since the adoption of humanitarian principles there has been a near constant debate and discussion on their relevance and applicability, and the extent to which one can truly be a principled humanitarian actor. They should devote their efforts to these key responsibilities and avoid blurring the line between military, political, and humanitarian action by labelling all of them as humanitarian . By crystallizing the Movement's century-long humanitarian practice in the field, the principles were intended to ensure effective humanitarian action to help all those affected by armed conflicts, other situations of violence and natural disasters. 06 July 2010. We have to keep continuous engagement, and continuous application of the principles. Could you tell us a bit how the humanitarian principles helped your operations in this volatile context and also how it ensured the security of your staff and volunteers during this time? As leaders, we also need to demonstrate the principles in action, because there is no way we can be accepted by all if we ourselves are not in compliance with those principles. @kindle.com emails can be delivered even when you are not connected to wi-fi, but note that service fees apply. Teaching tools: ICRC tools on how to teach IHL as well as specific, ready-to-use teaching materials on IHL and humanitarian principles are available. Has data issue: true The EU Member States have in general demonstrated a firm commitment to these principles. I value this space for discussion and welcome dissent it is healthy and critical to reflect together on how to ensure that we deliver the best humanitarian responses. The text of a speech delivered by the director-general of the ICRC, Mr Angelo Gnaedinger, at the conference Humanitarian Aid in the Spotlight: upcoming challenges for European actors held in Lisbon on 12 October 2007. That means we had to recruit members and volunteers from the different communities of South Sudan. We argue that entrusting the military with humanitarian tasks should occur only exceptionally and only in order to meet urgent needs beyond the immediate capacities of humanitarian organizations. This is what IHL calls "the principle of distinction". Find out more about saving content to Dropbox. Without them, it is said, aid workers can neither be legitimate, nor effective. Humanitarian principles: Dilemma exercise (11), 7. It cannot be expected that States and donors governments be neutral and independent. Click on a title to watch the video. Drawing on its long standing track record as a reliable humanitarian actor and its proven independent way of operating in the many conflicts in the Middle East and in Afghanistan during the past decades, the ICRC found new ways of operating and renewed its commitment to remain clearly distinct from all political and military actors in the area. Before joining the IPI in 2010, Jrmie spent several years with the ICRC, both at headquarters in Geneva (Legal Division) and on various field missions in India, Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, Madagascar and Iraq.Emanuela-Chiara Gillard, Oxford Institute for Ethics, Law and Armed Conflict / European University Institute. An organizations ability to provide support also depends on its ability to strike a balance between competing priorities, needs and perception in order to preserve trust and acceptance. Upon clarifying this role, the ICRC participated at the global level in the discussions and attended all the meetings relating to this new approach. Email address * This is for content moderation. How can anyone not take sides in the face of suffering and injustice? This was also the aspiration of most people in South Sudan, to have a Red Cross instead of a Red Crescent emblem. Likewise, the recent developments in Afghanistan are further proof how important and relevant the principle of independence still is in today's conflicts. Analysis / Back to basics: humanitarian principles in contemporary armed conflict / Humanitarian Action / Law and Conflict Victoria Riello. Sudan and Afghanistan are a case in point: Amidst repeated debates on how to resolve the ongoing conflicts in Darfur, often mixing humanitarian advocacy with political and military choices, the number of attacks on humanitarian organizations on the ground increased, while the fragmentations and the in- fighting among different belligerent groups created a highly complex and dangerous environment for all of us. Its purpose is to protect life and health and to ensure respect for the human being. While humanity and impartiality are principles that most, if not all, humanitarian actors adhere to, independence and neutrality are more complex. One and a half years later, civil war broke out in the newly formed country. These principles rely on the assumption that even war has limits and that belligerents will allow for the provision of principled humanitarian assistance in a safe and unimpeded way, as long as humanitarians avoid interfering in the dynamics of the conflict. We are led by world class physicians and prioritize delivering the best in . The ICRC participated in the discussions with donors and other humanitarian agencies which eventually led to the endorsement of the principles and good practices of Good Humanitarian Donorship by a large number of donors. The decision whether to speak out must be weighed against considerations of access, security and acceptance. In the field, the ICRC coordinates with all humanitarian actors which are effectively delivering protection and assistance - whether they are engaged in the cluster approach or not. IHL and humanitarian principles: Regulating relief operations (20), 8. Jrmie Labb has been heading up the "Principles Guiding Humanitarian Action" project at the ICRC since July 2014. It endeavours to relieve the suffering of individuals, being guided solely by their needs, and to give priority to the most urgent cases of distress. There is a broad consensus on the pertinence and utility of these principles among our main governmental donors, which include the European Commission and 11 EU Member States. Email address * This is for content moderation. The same is true for the wider region of the Middle East still torn apart by tension and violence. The fundamental humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence constitute the four common principles to international humanitarian law (IHL) and to the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, as well as to United Nations resolutions and other regional organisation such as the European Union and the African Union. The purpose of humanitarian action is to protect life and health and ensure respect for human beings. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. from the University of Cambridge. We understand that the proposed European Consensus calls on the European Union to adhere to and promote the Military and Civil Defence Assets and Oslo guidelines, which state that Military and Civil Defence or Protection capabilities should be employed by humanitarian agencies as a last resort; that is - only in the absence of any other available civilian alternative. For this post, as part of our series Back to basics: humanitarian principles in contemporary armed conflict, we sat down with John Lobor, the Secretary General of the South Sudan Red Cross Society, to discuss how the Fundamental Principles guided the South Sudan Red Cross in its initial setup and through the nascent countrys armed conflict. Such acts are sometimes perceived as a testimony of inexcusable detachment in the face of suffering and a failure of moral judgement, rather than a tool to enable action on behalf of all victims. New York (ICRC) - Today is an important day in the history of humanitarian action. Required and suggested readings: before watching the videos, lecturers and humanitarian professionals are invited to familiarize themselves with the topic by working their way through the required and suggested reading. The South Sudan Red Cross was made up of staff and volunteers who had worked for the Sudanese Red Crescent Society, which continues to operate in Sudan. Videos: the entire session can then be watched at once, or by chapter, depending on the need and specific interest of each user. } The . Voluntary serviceIt is a voluntary relief movement not prompted in any manner by desire for gain. Shortly following the creation of the South Sudan Red Cross, the country was plunged into armed conflict. His work has focused on adapting the international humanitarian system to a changing world, the relevance of humanitarian principles, protection of civilians and international humanitarian law, and the relationship between humanitarian action and UN integration. Today, we feel that our identity as a truly independent actor in this complex post 9/11 environment is well recognized by all major stakeholders in Afghanistan as confirmed by our facilitating role in recent releases of hostages. How do humanitarian principles support humanitarian effectiveness? To save this book to your Kindle, first ensure coreplatform@cambridge.org Current and future challenges (2013), Report and video recording of the ICRC event Principles in action: How do neutrality and independence contribute to humanitarian effectiveness? (2015), Personal stories about the Fundamental Principles, International Committee of the Red Cross, Donate to Israel and the occupied territory, Advanced Seminar in IHL for University Lecturers and Researchers, ICRC Q&A and lexicon on humanitarian access, Consent to humanitarian access: An obligation triggered by territorial control, not States' rights, The law regulating cross-border relief operations. Humanitarian action is rarely driven solely by needs, but also by access and security considerations, and availability of funding. It was among the IRS tax-exempted organization. They were developed - and later formalized - during the first century of the existence of the Red Cross, in the context of the devastating wars of the first half of the 20th century, mostly fought between States. How can anyone provide support to people who sympathize with the enemy? None of them are perfect nor do they work at all times but dismissing neutrality because it is misunderstood would be shortsighted. Then enter the name part The series help lecturers improve their knowledge of topical issues and provide teaching materials, thereby enabling them to cover these topics or issues in their courses or training sessions. We want to hear more on how principles are being negotiated and interpreted in your day-to-day work, including perspectives that we might not be perfectly comfortable with. The principles are therefore only valid insofar as they manifest in concrete realities, such as in response to humanitarian needs arising from armed conflict. I think this is why we have been able to work successfully without any major problems during the conflict in South Sudan. Lets start at the beginning. Organizations that are openly supportive of a party might not be able to work across front lines, but they may have better access to communities living on the territory under the control of the side that they support. This is a welcome reminder of how important it is to preserve space for neutral and independent humanitarian action as practiced by the ICRC. The simple reason for this is that perception, and who we associate with, has an impact. Humanitarian principles in action: a Q&A with the South Sudan Red Cross On the eve of the declaration of independence by the Republic of South Sudan in 2011, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement welcomed the establishment of a new National Red Cross Society - the South Sudan Red Cross. Analysis / Back to basics: humanitarian principles in contemporary armed conflict / Call for contributions / Humanitarian Action / Law and Conflict Ariana Lopes Morey. This will be used to analyse traffic to the website, allowing us to understand visitor preferences and improving our services. You are well aware that the International Committee of the Red Cross, the ICRC, indeed strongly believes in the importance of these principles. The first contribution comes from the head of our Centre for Operational Research and Experience (CORE), Fiona Terry, who shares a personal journey of how she has overcome her unease with neutrality and embraced it as a critical enabler for humanitarian action. in Law and an LL.M. Find out more about saving to your Kindle. The opinions expressed by the lecturers in the series are theirs alone, and not necessarily shared by the ICRC. We also welcome strong indications by our donor that the ICRC shall not be penalized by new financing mechanisms, such as the CERF and pooled funding, which are targeting UN agencies and, potentially, their respective NGO implementing partners. Although the ICRC is mentioned specifi cally, the same article also says that these facilities shall as well be granted to other humanitarian organisations which are acting on the same basis. Speaking with parties to conflict does not mean supporting them. She is a Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales. And from 1995 to 1997 she was a research fellow at the Lauterpacht Centre for International Law at the University of Cambridge. Since the seven Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement were adopted in 1965 by the Twentieth International Conference of the Red Cross, they have provided a pragmatic operational framework for humanitarian work worldwide. Thank you so much to you. Emanuela holds a B.A. The ICRC, while supporting efforts to strengthen the UN humanitarian response and participating in this process in a constructive manner, has explained from the onset that it will not take part in the cluster system as it cannot be accountable to the UN system through the Emergency Relief Coordinator, or the Humanitarian Coordinator at the country level. The Portuguese Ambassador, at the ECOSOC Humanitarian Segment this summer, speaking on behalf of the European Union, confirmed the EU's firm commitment to providing aid, respecting humanitarian principles, as they are taken up in the principles and practice of Good Humanitarian Donorship, which as he reminded the audience - allocate funding on the basis of, and in proportion to, need. It must carry on its humanitarian work throughout its territory. Analysis / Back to basics: humanitarian principles in contemporary armed conflict / Call for contributions / Humanitarian Action / Law and Conflict, The ICRC in Israel, Golan, West Bank, Gaza, Cross-Files | ICRC Archives, audiovisual and library, Back to basics: humanitarian principles in contemporary armed conflict, Climate change, conflict and humanitarian action, Avoiding civilian harm during military cyber operations, Humanitarian engagement in social protection: implications for principled humanitarian action, Race, equity, and neo-colonial legacies: identifying paths forward for principled humanitarian action, Challenging patriarchy: gender equality and humanitarian principles, ICRC Religion and Humanitarian Principles. Under both international humanitarian law (IHL) and international human rights law (IHRL) States always have the primary obligation to meet the needs of the population under its jurisdiction and control. The purpose of humanitarian action is to prevent and alleviate human suffering, wherever it may be found a seemingly indisputable intention. 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