2 The Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement: A Position Affirmed in International Humanitarian Law Treaties

Abstract

The Red Cross and Red Crescent Movements are at the origin of International humanitarian law (IHL) treaties and therefore have been represented in such treaties. The three components of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement are the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (Federation), and the National Societies of Red Cross and Red Crescent (National Societies). The ICRC is mentioned in provisions concerning both international and non-international armed conflicts. The first reference to the ICRC can be found in the 1927 Convention that created an International Relief Union to provide aid in case of Natural Calamities. The ICRC is widely mentioned in IHL texts, particularly in the 1949 Geneva Conventions and 1977 Additional Protocols. In international treaties, the National Societies were first referred to as relief societies.Keywords: armed conflicts; Geneva Conventions; ICRC; International humanitarian law (IHL) treaties; International Relief Union; National Societies; Red Crescent Movement; Red Cross Movement