ICRC Activities Research Articles

Conflict between Yugoslavia and the International Committee of the Red Cross in the aftermath of the Second World War

The International Committee of the Red Cross from Geneva and its activities in the circumstances of the Second World War has been exclusively humanitarian, and the ICRC based it on the then applicable provisions and regulations of the International Law of War (the Law of Armed Conflict). In the aftermath of the Second World War, sporadic allegations began to arise on the ICRC's activities in the war’s circumstances, from 1939 to 1945. These allegations focused in particular on the ICRC's relations with the Authorities of the German Reich, and on the ICRC's activities in favor of the Jews during the war. Initially, the ICRC and its leadership has been facing sporadic accusations from various organizations or individuals, as well as accusations from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), that had no official relations with the ICRC, and shown open hostilities towards the ICRC in the aftermath of the Second World War. In mid-1946, the representatives of Yugoslav authorities accused the ICRC of protecting collaborators and war criminals and further aggravated the situation. The reason for the outbreak of the conflict was the issue of displaced persons, among other. The Yugoslav Red Cross started the conflict that continued through the official Yugoslav press, with the support of the Yugoslav authorities. Soon, both the Yugoslav Red Cross and the Yugoslav authorities extended their allegations towards the ICRC to the entire ICRC’s activities carried out during the war. Based on original archival sources, published sources and literature, the author presents the genesis of the conflict.

Mediterranean civilizational model of humanitarian diplomacy

Humanitarian diplomacy is one of the key tools for positioning individual states and supranational structures in the modern world. In the article, the author provides the theoretical foundations of humanitarian diplomacy, the goals and features of this tool. Next, an analysis is made of the countries of the Mediterranean region, which includes states with various historical, cultural and civilizational characteristics. Despite the fundamental differences in the traditions and strategies of building relations with the outside world and neighboring states, the author gives examples of the points of contact of the Mediterranean countries in the framework of the implementation of their foreign policy tasks. In particular, we are talking about the goals of sustainable development of the United Nations and the provision of humanitarian assistance in the framework of the activities of the International Organization of the Red Cross and Red Crescent. The author provides examples of general principles and structures formed within the framework of the ICRC's activities and the achievement of individual SDGs. It is concluded that it is impossible to single out a universal model of humanitarian diplomacy for the Mediterranean region. We can only talk about a kind of construct of the Mediterranean civilization model — where the sea itself is of particular value, is an element of the geopolitical strategy and determines the formation of identity. Without exception, all countries in the region have common priorities, for example, the need to solve problems with the availability of drinking water and depletion of the fertile soil layer, which can become one of the key risks for the region. Also, all of them are aimed at developing the potential of youth — each country has a "roadmap" for the development of youth and their involvement in a variety of creative, scientific, cultural and administrative-political projects. However, the ways to accomplish these tasks can be diametrically opposed.

The ICRC's response to internal displacement: strengths, challenges and constraints

AbstractThe often highly complex and fluid nature of displacement on the ground makes coverage of IDPs' needs a difficult task, and a flexible response is required to fit different contexts. The ICRC's humanitarian response is guided by the vulnerability and the needs of all people affected by armed conflict and violence – including, of course, IDPs, whose vulnerability is often (but not automatically) exacerbated by their particular situation. The protection and assistance of IDPs therefore naturally lies at the heart of the ICRC's mandate and activities. In identifying and responding to needs, the ICRC looks at the whole context in which internal displacement occurs, as well as all the people affected. The aim is to promote self-reliance among vulnerable communities so as to avoid displacement, or to strengthen their capacity to host IDPs. Nevertheless, where needed, the ICRC also fills gaps by providing emergency aid in IDP camps, coordinating with other international organizations in order to optimize response.

The ICRC and the missing

Cet article décrit les problèmes et les dilemmes humanitaires auxquels est confronté le CICR dans le cas des personnes portées disparues pendant et après un conflit armé. Il donne un bref aperçu des règles pertinentes du droit international humanitaire et souligne que le respect des obligations juridiques permet tant de prévenir les disparitions et la séparation, que d'alléger les souffrances des families des disparus. Respecter le droit serait la meilleure pratique en ce qui concerne les disparitions liées à un conflit armé. Faire mieux connaître le droit international humanitaire, coopérer avec les belligérants, les aider à respecter leurs obligations et agir en qualité d'intermédiaire neutre pour faciliter le respect du droit, telles sont les principales fonctions du CICR en la matière. Souvent, les belligérants ne respectent pas leurs obligations, parfois, ils les dénaturent. L'institution est done fréquemment appelée à se substituer à eux pour remplir les obligations qui leur incombent. L'article donne des exemples pratiques et propose que les activités du CICR en faveur des personnes portées disparues soient systématisées et développées.

Personnes déplacées en Colombie et personnes d'origine colombienne cherchant refuge dans les pays voisins

Abstract In the course of half a century of political turmoil and civil war in Colombia, a large number of civilians have fled their homes or been forcefully removed to other places. The author gives an overview of UNHCR and ICRC activities for these internally displaced persons. While UNHCR strives mainly to strengthen their ability to cope, the ICRC specializes in direct assistance to displaced persons and pursues its traditional protection work. Action taken for Colombian refugees in neighbouring countries is also discussed.

The ICRC's activities on the Indian subcontinent following partition (1947–1949)

In 1945, at the end of the Second World War, the British government clearly stated its intention of granting independence to India.The conflict between the British and the Indian nationalists receded into the background, while the increasing antagonism between Hindus and Muslims came to the fore. The Hindus, centred round the Congress Party led by Jawaharlal Nehru, wanted to maintain the unity of India by establishing a government made up of representatives of the two communities. The Muslims, under the banner of the Muslim League and its President, Mohammed Ali Jinnah, demanded the creation of a separate Muslim State, Pakistan. The problem was further complicated by the fact that the approximately 300 million Hindus, 6 million Sikhs and 100 million Muslims in British India were not living in geographically distinct regions, especially in Punjab and Bengal, where the population was mixed.

ICRC activities during the Second World War: The ICRC infiltrated by the Nazis?

A group of researchers in the United States who have set themselves the task of locating the fortunes deposited in Swiss banks by victims — mostly Jewish — of Nazi persecution have laid their hands on a series of documents originating from the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), the American intelligence service which was the predecessor of the CIA. These documents, bearing dates in 1944 and 1945, contain allegations concerning individuals who worked for the ICRC during the Second World War.

Dissemination of the humanitarian rules and cooperation with National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies for the purpose of prevention

When it was founded, the ICRC, recognizing the unpredictable and inescapable nature of war, hoped that it would be able to alleviate the most harmful effects of war by providing protection and assistance and raising awareness1 of international humanitarian law and the need to respect it. Thus all the activities undertaken by the institution are rooted in the reality of war — the degree of medical assistance and relief, for example, depends on the number of victims, while protection for prisoners is specifically given to “persons detained because of the situation”. Similarly, the ICRC's Central Tracing Agency forwards family messages when normal communication channels are severed, traces people who have gone missing because of the conflict, and reunites family members separated by the events. The only ICRC activities that are not exclusively a response to needs resulting from war are the dissemination of knowledge of humanitarian law and principles, and cooperation with the National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

Presidential Missions: Greece (19–23 May)

ICRC President Comelio Sommamga, accompanied by Mr. Jean-Francois Berger, regional delegate for the Balkan States, and Ms. Marlyse Schaer from the Division for Principles and Relations with the Movement were in Greece from 19 to 23 May 1991 at the invitation of the Hellenic Red Cross. The principal aims of their mission were to pay an official visit to the National Society and learn more about its activities, and to meet with the Greek authorities to discuss ways of promoting knowledge of international humanitarian law and other matters relating to ICRC activities.

Humanitarian policy and operational activities: ICRC activities for refugees and displaced civilians

The Red Gross has been involved with refugees for many years, in fact ever since the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement began assisting the victims of wars, revolutions and other disturbances. All the Movement's institutions take part at some stage in dealing with refugees, deportees and persons displaced within their own countries, for instance by providing protection in the countries of origin at the time of exile, setting up reception facilities in transit or first asylum camps and supplying material and medical aid, or by carrying out tracing activities and organizing family reunifications, not forgetting the support lent to those engaged in the often interminable and humiliating procedure of applying for asylum.

Namibia

The main area of ICRC activity in Namibia remained the northern border region, where the institution assisted people affected by the conflict in neighbouring Angola. Late in the year, the delegation also set up the logistic base necessary to carry out cross-border operations into south-eastern and southern Angola.

Africa—Latin America—Asia—Middle East

ICRC activities continued under the new government following President Omer Hassan el-Beshir's coup d'état on 30 June. Contact was immediately established with the new authorities who gave their permission to the ICRC to pursue its activities.Prisoners in government hands were visited by the ICRC on 23 August in Wau and the following day in Juba. The three and five prisoners seen respectively wrote Red Cross messages. The 105 government soldiers held by rebel forces and visited in June were seen again on 24 August.

ICRC President visits the United States of America

Mr. Cornelio Sommaruga, President of the ICRC, was in Washington from 14 to 17 May 1989, accompanied by Mr. André Pasquier, Director of Operations, and Mr. Jürg Bischoff from the Press Division.Mr. Sommaruga and Mr. Pasquier were received by the President of the United States, Mr. George Bush, in the presence of Mr. Richard F. Schubert, President of the American Red Cross. The ICRC representatives conveyed their warm thanks for the financial support provided by the American authorities to the ICRC; they also expressed the hope that the contribution would be increased, given the expansion in ICRC operational acitivities in many parts of the world. There was also an exchange of views as to ratification by the United States Government of the Protocols additional to the Geneva Conventions, as well as talks on humanitarian mobilization and current ICRC activities. Mr. Bush assured Mr. Sommaruga that he could count on continued diplomatic and financial support from the United States.

Official visits to the ICRC

On 7 November 1988, Mr. René Felber, Head of the Swiss Department of Foreign Affairs, and his wife visited the ICRC where they were welcomed by President Cornelio Sommaruga.Mr. Sommaruga thanked the Federal Councillor for the support traditionally afforded to the ICRC by the Swiss Confederation. He then gave his guests a review of the ICRC's activities throughout the world.During this general fact-finding visit to the ICRC, which was preceded by a tour of the International Museum of the Red Cross, Mr. Felber was accompanied by Ambassador Franz Muheim, Head of the Directorate of International Organizations at the Swiss Department of Foreign Affairs, and Mr. Rudolph Schaller, the Department's Secretary General.

The International Committee of the Red Cross and Health

The ICRC Medical Division, established in November 1977, works for the war wounded, for prisoners, for the civilian population and for the war disabled. Its essential purpose is to keep the victims alive, alleviate their suffering and prevent their sicknesses or wounds from ruining the rest of their lives.In his summary of ICRC activities during his term of office, (1976–1987) President Alexandre Hay said last May, “The medical sector, completely embryonic when I arrived, has developed considerably and has now achieved a highly praiseworthy quality and dimension. The ICRC and the victims of conflicts owe a great deal to the spirit of initiative, devotion and competence of its doctors”.The Review is particularly pleased to publish the following article by Dr. Remi Russbach, Chief Medical Officer of the ICRC, who traces the evolution of the Medical Division in the past ten years, emphasizing not only the progress achieved in the execution of its programmes but dealing as well with the problems which the ICRC has had to face in this domain.

Africa — Latin America — Asia — Europe — Middle East

In December 1986, the Ethiopian authorities issued new directives concerning the conduct of the ICRC relief operation in the country's northern provinces (Eritrea, Tigre, Gondar and Wollo). The directives effectively subjected ICRC activities to decisions taken by the National Red Cross Society and the Ethiopian authorities, thus calling into question the principles of independence and neutrality which must at all times and in all circumstances guide ICRC action on behalf of victims covered by its assistance and protection mandate.

Council of Europe resolution on ICRC activities

Council of Europe resolution on ICRC activities

Africa — Latin America — Asia and Pacific — Middle East

During November and December 1985, ICRC activities in Angola increased. This period of the year being between two harvests, the nutritional condition of the population on the Planalto seriously deteriorated. Distributions of food were therefore resumed from October onwards in most townships in the provinces of Huambo and Benguela, and from 18 November in the province of Bié where they had been suspended two months earlier after an ICRC aircraft had been damaged by a mine at Chitembo.

External activities: Africa — Latin America — Asia — Middle East

From 5 to 11 September, Mr. Jean-Marc Bornet, the ICRC delegate-general for Africa carried out a mission to Kenya. He had discussions in Nairobi with the heads of the ICRC delegations in Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia, the Sudan, and Uganda, in order to set the objectives of ICRC activities in the countries of the Horn of Africa for 1985.

ICRC President in Saudi Arabia and Libya

From 2 to 6 April, the President of the ICRC, Mr. Alexandre Hay, accompanied by Mr. Jean Hoefliger, delegate-general for the Middle East, and Mr. S. Nessi, head of the Financing Division, carried out a brief mission to Saudi Arabia, where he met with government authorities and informed them about ICRC activities and the problems encountered by the institution, in particular in Iraq, Iran and Lebanon. The ICRC President also wished to discuss questions of ICRC financing.