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. IHL and humanitarian principles: Addressees and sources (17), 6. In such cases, a clear and unambiguous separation from military objectives must of course be ensured. How can anyone not take sides in the face of suffering and injustice? 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. IHL and humanitarian principles | International Committee of the Red Cross Who we are What we do Where we work War & Law IHL and humanitarian principles 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. Find out more about saving to your Kindle. on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. It is impossible to talk about humanitarian action today without mentioning the reform of the UN humanitarian system. 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. 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. 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. Researchers may wish to use them as informative sources for their research projects on this topic. We explained that the two emblems, the Red Cross and the Red Crescent Movement, have the same weight and the same meaning. 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. 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. UnityThere can be only one Red Cross or one Red Crescent Society in any one country. 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. I will therefore focus my argument on these two : independence and neutrality. Videos: the entire session can then be watched at once, or by chapter, depending on the need and specific interest of each user. The Registered Agent on file for this company is Jenifer Wolf Williams and is located at 3612 Christopher Lane, Richardson, TX 75082. I have been asked to talk to you about the humanitarian principles and why they are still relevant today. This is what IHL calls "the principle of distinction". Videos can also be watched and discussed in class, as an introduction to the topic triggering questions and debate.3. 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. Jrmie Labb has been heading up the "Principles Guiding Humanitarian Action" project at the ICRC since July 2014. in Law and an LL.M. Thank you so much to you. Upon clarifying this role, the ICRC participated at the global level in the discussions and attended all the meetings relating to this new approach. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. How do humanitarian principles support humanitarian effectiveness? Eastern Equatoria, Torit county, South Sudan. We were very cautious about our relationship, particularly during the conflict. "useRatesEcommerce": false The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Humanitarian Environmental Animal Team is 471008531. 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. Principles guiding humanitarian action The 2015 Conference Cycle on Principles Guiding Humanitarian Action was a series of high-level public events and experts meetings coordinated by the ICRC on several continents. 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. 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. When the volunteers arrived, they were unfortunately attacked by some of the internally displaced people (IDPs) there, and two of them were severely beaten. 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. IndependenceThe Movement is independent. O'Callaghan, Sorcha, and Leach, Leslie, ", 2. Because of the centrality of the humanitarian principles in the ICRCs action and the role that the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement has played in shaping these principles, we see the need to create a space for a conversation on humanitarian principles, starting today. ImpartialityIt makes no discrimination as to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinions. To save content items to your account, Thus there are certain principles, such as those of humanity and of non-discrimination, which in a sense are common to both. Email address * This is for content moderation. 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. 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. And before they go out, you still need to give them reminders on how to conduct themselves when interacting with their communities. Without them, it is said, aid workers can neither be legitimate, nor effective. Shortly following the creation of the South Sudan Red Cross, the country was plunged into armed conflict. It establishes, in the words of Art. 97, No. Working in some of the most complex environments to protect and assist vulnerable populations, impartial humanitarian organizations too often become victims of threats and violence. The Advanced IHL Learning Series combine theory and practice and make use of videos, reading materials and various other teaching tools. 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. 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. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive. Between a rock and a hard place: integration or independence of humanitarian action? ICRC statements, publications, event reports) about IHL and humanitarian principles and related topics. From the historical overview presented in the previous chapters one can extract and analyze the basic principles and policies of the ICRC. 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. She is a Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales. It was among the IRS tax-exempted organization. Tensions run high during conflict anywhere, and many of your volunteers have likely been directly affected by the violence in South Sudan. Email address * This is for content moderation. 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. 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. Ultimately, I want to believe that we have a shared ambition: to help those most in need, even in the most challenging situations. The Cycle aimed at fostering a global discussion around principled humanitarian action and their concrete implications on the ground. Many of the resources are taken from the 2015 edition of the Advanced Seminar in IHL for University Lecturers and Researchers. The company's filing status is listed as In Existence and its File Number is 0803789521. The principles are therefore only valid insofar as they manifest in concrete realities, such as in response to humanitarian needs arising from armed conflict. Four principles - humanity, impartiality, neutrality, and independence - are considered the foundations of humanitarian action. There is nevertheless a link between these two fields, for humanitarian law had its origin in the ideal of the Red Cross, which continues to stimulate its development. 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. Published online by Cambridge University Press: At the International Committee of the Red Cross, we are acutely aware that impartial humanitarian organizations are not immune from hostilities. Its not really that often from the first day that people genuinely comprehend the principles. 1. 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. We are led by world class physicians and prioritize delivering the best in . A clear division of labour and complementarity between government donors and humanitarian organisations only enhances the effectiveness of humanitarian action. At the end of the day, principled humanitarian action, when it works and is allowed to work, saves lives. Freymond, "Humanitarian Policy and Pragmatism," Government and Opposition, 11 (Autumn, 1976), 425 Armed forces also have a very important military role to play in providing security. We went into the camp and met with the chiefs to try to understand why the IDPs attacked the volunteers. 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. How can anyone provide support to people who sympathize with the enemy? 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. New York (ICRC) - Today is an important day in the history of humanitarian action. We trust that the EU's further efforts and initiatives will not change this position. This was also the aspiration of most people in South Sudan, to have a Red Cross instead of a Red Crescent emblem. 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. Each of these different approaches have their place and fulfill a specific function. The opinions expressed by the lecturers in the series are theirs alone, and not necessarily shared by the ICRC. Please contact our editor, Elizabeth Rushing (erushing@icrc.org), if you would like to contribute to this conversation. 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. Tags: humanitarian principles, IFRC, IHL, Red Cross Red Crescent, South Sudan, South Sudan Red Cross, 12 mins read Note you can select to save to either the @free.kindle.com or @kindle.com variations. Development or peace actors are driven by yet another set of ambitions. 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. June 16, 2022,Analysis / Back to basics: humanitarian principles in contemporary armed conflict / Call for contributions / Humanitarian Action / Law and Conflict 7 mins read. The ICRC's main donor governments recognized the need to maintain the ICRC's independence. 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. The Humanitarian Principles - YouTube The EU is committed to promoting global respect and compliance with International Humanitarian Law, together with the Humanitarian Principles -. The Good Humanitarian Donorship initiative is an expression of the donors'commitment to a set of very important guiding principles for the funding of humanitarian agencies, such as to ensure pred ictability and flexibility in funding, explore the possibility of reducing earmarking, introduce longer-term funding arrangements, and encourage the development of standardized formats for reporting. I will therefore focus my argument on these two : independence and neutrality. Donors should retain their identity as donor and not pretend to be humanitarian organisations. 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. 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. After the removal from power of the Taliban in 2001 and the invasion of Iraq in 2003 the risk was real for the ICRC to be rejected outright by local forces actively resisting the US led coalition and the new governmental forces. 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. please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. Lets start at the beginning. The reflections here are extremely best explained by the Secretary General of the South Sudan Red Cross Mr. John Lobor. 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. Can you describe a bit how the Fundamental Principles guide your engagement with the UN? Its purpose is to protect life and health and to ensure respect for the human being. But there was another tricky issue, which was a question from the population: Why are you changing from the Red Crescent to Red Cross? The videos feature lectures by speakers at the seminar, and discussions between them and participants. Afterwards, with ICRC support, we went to disseminate information particularly in areas under opposition control that the Red Cross is not politically aligned with the government. Was this challenging to follow, given the dynamics of the conflict? In the spirit of going back to the basics, let me open this series with some straightforward considerations. 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, Humanity, impartiality, neutrality, and independence have become household names in the humanitarian community. Speaking with parties to conflict does not mean supporting them. Voluntary serviceIt is a voluntary relief movement not prompted in any manner by desire for gain. With such an informed public I don't need to expand on the principles themselves. Principled humanitarian action faces many challenges today. 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. The Security Council adopted a legally binding resolution on Friday that protects humanitarian activities from all current and future financial prohibitions established by United Nations sanctions regimes. 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 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 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 () " . 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 " . of your Kindle email address below. 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? We also had to follow the principles of humanity and impartiality in terms of responding to the material needs of the population, a principle whereby assistance is provided based on need. The purpose of humanitarian action is to protect life and health and ensure respect for human beings. 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. The principle of neutrality surely causes the greatest levels of discomfort. One and a half years later, civil war broke out in the newly formed country. 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. This welcome development should not overlook the fact that these principles apply mainly - if not exclusively - to the activities of humanitarian organisations. 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. 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. 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. 06 July 2010. 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. The basic principles of IHL These are the three basic principles of IHL: 1- Distinction: The principle of distinction requires those who wage war to distinguish between people who take part in the hostilities and those who do not (or no longer) take part in them. The reality is that aid organizations do take sides: they take the side of victims. Further reading and resources: lecturers and humanitarian professionals are encouraged to further explore the topic via additional resources (e.g. 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. And how can anyone speak to all sides of a conflict? IHL and humanitarian principles matter.It is through renewed collective action that we will preserve our common humanity and make a difference in the lives of millions of people affected by armed . What was the importance of the Fundamental Principles in the development of that National Society in terms of governance and institutional setup? Read more about what we do and who we are. We sent our volunteers to one of these POC sites to set up water facilities for the people living there. 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. 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. 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. We explained that the Red Cross was an impartial, independent institution in terms of the services that we deliver. In the long run, this will probably open up possibilities for us to engage with them if need be. 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. While humanity and impartiality are principles that most, if not all, humanitarian actors adhere to, independence and neutrality are more complex. ), Find out more about saving to your Kindle, Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511755958.007. 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. What does back to basics mean for gender and the fundamental principles? 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. 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 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. What are the respective aims of IHL and the humanitarian principles? 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. Analysis / Back to basics: humanitarian principles in contemporary armed conflict / Humanitarian Action / Law and Conflict milie Charpentier, 10 mins read 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. Yet, humanitarian action was born not from an abstract idea but on the battlefield. The principles are hierarchically organized and offer both an ethical and an operational framework. The principle of neutrality is key, particularly if you are close to the conflict. Does IHL refer to the principles? 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 use cookies to distinguish you from other users and to provide you with a better experience on our websites. Humanitarian principles: Dilemma exercise (11), 7. What about the principle of neutrality? 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. Prior to that, she spent seven years as legal adviser at the ICRC. Close this message to accept cookies or find out how to manage your cookie settings. 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. 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? 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. Before joining the ICRC, Emanuela was a legal adviser at the United Nations Compensation Commission. 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 ICRC has historically marched to its own drummer. 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 . It is the strict and predictable adherence to the humanitarian principles by several generations of ICRC delegates that has made this possible. From 2007 to 2012 Emanuela-Chiara Gillard was chief of the Protection of Civilians Section in the Policy Development and Studies Branch of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). 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. Of course, the most difficult and challenging time that we went through was during the outbreak of the conflict in early 2013. At the end of the series, users will be able to: 1. The first four principles humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence have come to embody international humanitarian action. They promote an operational approach dictated solely by existing humanitarian needs. is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings Humanitarian principles: Operational relevance (3), 4. 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? 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. 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. Introduction to IHL and humanitarian principles. To manage the resources and operations and for recruitment to take place, we had to ensure that the governance of the National Society reflected the identity of the population of South Sudan and the principles of unity and voluntary service. @kindle.com emails can be delivered even when you are not connected to wi-fi, but note that service fees apply. Observing strict political neutrality, the ICRC has sought and established dialogue with all of the many armed groups in Darfur. What is the normative framework governing relief operations? That a tension exists between the simplicity of the humanitarian principles and the difficulties associated with their application is beyond dispute. 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. We have to keep continuous engagement, and continuous application of the principles. Content may require purchase if you do not have access. The course is divided into several sessions. Lecturers are encouraged to use them to integrate the topic in their course or training.4. 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. 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. 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 Your email address will not be made public. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. 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. This is a welcome reminder of how important it is to preserve space for neutral and independent humanitarian action as practiced by the ICRC. suffering by promoting and strengthening humanitarian law and universal humanitarian principles. 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. The secession of South Sudan from the north in January 2011 paved the way for our new National Society in the south. Neutrality: Humanitarian actors must not take sides in hostilities or engage in controversies of a political, racial, religious or ideological nature. What's more, various non-humanitarian actors use the label humanitarian to describe their activities. Humanitarian principles need to be respected and promoted more than ever. The ICRC will of course welcome such a commitment. 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. We cannot allow you to come and provide services to us. 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. Neutrality and independence, on the other hand, have no intrinsic moral value they are the practical tools for securing access to those affected by conflict or violence by creating and protecting a humanitarian space. And from 1995 to 1997 she was a research fellow at the Lauterpacht Centre for International Law at the University of Cambridge. This obviously only works if belligerents and armed groups can trust that the ICR C is pursuing an exclusively humanitarian mission. Your email address will not be made public. Humanitarian action is rarely driven solely by needs, but also by access and security considerations, and availability of funding. The purpose of humanitarian action is to prevent and alleviate human suffering, wherever it may be found a seemingly indisputable intention. 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. While UN sanctions are not intended to negatively impact the delivery of humanitarian Taking action, not sides: the benefits of humanitarian neutrality in war, ICRC Religion and Humanitarian Principles. This flows from the principle of State sovereignty, general international law and the human rights obligations of States. When we got the report the next day, I went together with a colleague from the ICRC. Has data issue: true To save content items to your account, Humanitarian Outreach For Migrant Emotional Health is a Texas Domestic Non-Profit Corporation filed On October 6, 2020. We explained the law was passed by parliament; which represents the population of South Sudan. The EU Member States have in general demonstrated a firm commitment to these principles. It is not enough to call upon great humanitarian principles. from the University of Cambridge. IHL and humanitarian principles: Introduction (2), 5. It takes a little bit of time to ensure that you have engaged and trained members and volunteers to understand what these principles mean in real life. To save this book to your Kindle, first ensure coreplatform@cambridge.org Humanitarian principles Humanity: Human suffering must be addressed whenever it is found. On 13 . 22 of the Hague Regulations, that "the right of belligerents to adopt means of injuring the enemy is not unlimited." The ICRC helps those affected by armed conflict and promotes compliance with international humanitarian law. Analysis / Back to basics: humanitarian principles in contemporary armed conflict / Call for contributions / Humanitarian Action / Law and Conflict John Lobor, 13 mins read Today, despite very difficult circumstances, we continue to do our utmost to alleviate the suffering of the Iraqi population. The Head of State just signed it because he happened to be the Head of State at that particular time. For the same reasons, they should also avoid fully integrating humanitarian action into their political, military, or economic response to crises. 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. Beyond their practical and legal dimensions, the principles reflect a high ideal of humanity, morality and universality. The principles are hierarchically organized and offer both an ethical and an operational framework. And then we want to hear from you. It cannot be expected that States and donors governments be neutral and independent. The . 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. 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 . Analysis / Back to basics: humanitarian principles in contemporary armed conflict / Humanitarian Action / Law and Conflict Victoria Riello. 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. Hostname: page-component-5959bf8d4d-m7vrx While humanity and impartiality are principles that most, if not all, humanitarian actors adhere to, independence and neutrality are more complex. It promotes mutual understanding, friendship, cooperation and lasting peace amongst all peoples. 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. } 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 . 41 Humanitarian jobs available in City of Richardson, TX on Indeed.com. It must carry on its humanitarian work throughout its territory. Likewise, the recent developments in Afghanistan are further proof how important and relevant the principle of independence still is in today's conflicts. We maintain that these principles are still relevant and that it is imperative more than ever - to preserve space for neutral and independent humanitarian action. The decision whether to speak out must be weighed against considerations of access, security and acceptance. 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. Human nature is corrupt, and human values shape how we remain impartial. Some place the emphasis on preserving humanitarian access to meet the needs of the most vulnerable, and others focus on strengthening respect for human rights. Shortly following the creation of the South Sudan Red Cross, the country was plunged into armed conflict. Render date: 2022-12-11T16:46:51.355Z 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. 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. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Although legal and policy frameworks underpin the humanitarian principles, critical challenges continue to hinder implementation. The situation has been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox. Steward's Transformative Health Care. We will also feature other ICRC contributions on gender, neutrality, humanity and impartiality and the impact of misinformation and propaganda on the space for principled humanitarian action. They said this is the same government that was attacking us. The relevance of the Fundamental Principles to operations: learning from Lebanon, The ICRC's approach to contemporary security challenges: A future for independent and neutral humanitarian action, The ICRC in Afghanistan: Reasserting the neutrality of humanitarian action. Total loading time: 0.288 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 South Sudan Red Cross is a relatively young National Society, created a little over ten years ago with the independence of South Sudan. 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. The fact that ICRCs action is guided by a clear set of humanitarian principles does not mean that it is the only acceptable way of working, and there can be complementarity between approaches. We contend that this way of seeking dialogue will all parties to a conflict is what makes our presence possible in the long run because it offers the best likelihood of being accepted by all parties. Emanuela holds a B.A. It is encouraging to see that EU members and other states increasingly refer to the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, independence, and impartiality. The same is true for the wider region of the Middle East still torn apart by tension and violence. In that regard, understanding the close interaction between humanitarian principles and international humanitarian law is crucial for any lecturer addressing the topic. The simple reason for this is that perception, and who we associate with, has an impact. November 17, 2022,Analysis / Back to basics: humanitarian principles in contemporary armed conflict / Humanitarian Action / Law and Conflict 9 mins read. 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 four principles - humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence - have come to embody international humanitarian action. 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). From our experience in this part of the world we should perhaps add an additional humanitarian principle: perseverance. 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. 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. @free.kindle.com emails are free but can only be saved to your device when it is connected to wi-fi. Apply to Social Work Supervisor, Early Childhood Teacher, Sponsorship Manager and more! Analysis / Back to basics: humanitarian principles in contemporary armed conflict / Call for contributions / Humanitarian Action / Law and Conflict Ariana Lopes Morey. After a long discussion, they came to understand, and apologized for what had happened. It must be open to all. 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. 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. This Advanced IHL Learning Series provides lecturers with a wide range of resources to understand and teach these issues. 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. 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. 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. How can the principles help foster respect for IHL? This will be used to analyse traffic to the website, allowing us to understand visitor preferences and improving our services. Prior to this, he worked for the International Peace Institute (IPI) in New York, where he developed a new programme on humanitarian affairs. Find out more about the Kindle Personal Document Service. 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. 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. 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. We meet in the cluster meetings, shared information and so on. Click on a title to watch the video. 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. 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. please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. So the fact that Salva Kiir signed the law does not mean that organization belongs to him. This is not how we see it. 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. Principles of International Humanitarian Law | How does law protect in war? So those were two important principles that we had to refer to in terms of the recruitment. It is therefore an important aspect of our policy on staff security. - 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 What is expected of them is that they respect the organisations'need to apply these principles. 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. Humanity, impartiality, neutrality, and independence have become household names in the humanitarian community. 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. Humanitarian principles: Origins and definition (15), 3. I think this is why we have been able to work successfully without any major problems during the conflict in South Sudan. Tags: contemporary armed conflict, humanitarian principles, ICRC, neutrality, Red Cross Red Crescent, Ukraine, 9 mins read 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. Feature Flags: { HumanityThe International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, born of a desire to bring assistance without discrimination to the wounded on the battlefield, endeavours, in its international and national capacity, to prevent and alleviate human suffering wherever it may be found. 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. This trust is increasingly difficult to build as the foundations of humanitarian aid are being called into question by various stakeholders. 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. 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. 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. 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. We hope that the European Consensus on Humanitarian Aid will reiterate this stand, and that it will also set out a commitment to advocating strongly and consistently for the respect of international humanitarian law. IHL and humanitarian principles: Regulating relief operations (20), 8. understand how the ICRC applies humanitarian principles in practice. Over the last decade, Steward Health Care has perfected a unique vertically and horizontally integrated model that achieves the highest quality care, increases patient access, and substantially reduces total medical expenses. 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. hasContentIssue true, The International Committee of the Red Cross, ICRC structure and management: personnel, policy making, resources, The ICRC and international humanitarian law, The ICRC and selected private relief agencies, The ICRC: one of the Big Four relief agencies, Freymond, Humanitarian Policy and Pragmatism,, https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511755958.007, Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. This was a very critical period for the South Sudan Red Cross; we were afraid that this would affect the unity of the National Society. What are their sources? Who are they addressed to? Specific teaching tools on IHL and humanitarian principles. This support will indeed be crucial in our collective efforts to preserve space for impartial, neutral and independent humanitarian action. Taking into account the complexity of the environment in which humanitarian action has to be carried out, the ICRC believes that the diversity of humanitarian agencies can be an asset if they are seen as complementary to each others. That means we had to recruit members and volunteers from the different communities of South Sudan. 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. 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. 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