I have been asked to talk to you about the humanitarian principles and why they are still relevant today. 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. 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. 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. Of course, the most difficult and challenging time that we went through was during the outbreak of the conflict in early 2013. Beyond their practical and legal dimensions, the principles reflect a high ideal of humanity, morality and universality. O'Callaghan, Sorcha, and Leach, Leslie, ", 2. To save content items to your account, And then we want to hear from you. It must carry on its humanitarian work throughout its territory. So those were two important principles that we had to refer to in terms of the recruitment. Introduction to IHL and humanitarian 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 ICRC will of course welcome such a commitment. Between a rock and a hard place: integration or independence of humanitarian action? Principles of International Humanitarian Law | How does law protect in war? 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. Taking action, not sides: the benefits of humanitarian neutrality in war, ICRC Religion and Humanitarian Principles. What are their sources? 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. Donors should retain their identity as donor and not pretend to be humanitarian organisations. None of them are perfect nor do they work at all times but dismissing neutrality because it is misunderstood would be shortsighted. In that regard, understanding the close interaction between humanitarian principles and international humanitarian law is crucial for any lecturer addressing the topic. The reflections here are extremely best explained by the Secretary General of the South Sudan Red Cross Mr. John Lobor. Further reading and resources: lecturers and humanitarian professionals are encouraged to further explore the topic via additional resources (e.g. Lets start at the beginning. When we got the report the next day, I went together with a colleague from the ICRC. Jrmie Labb has been heading up the "Principles Guiding Humanitarian Action" project at the ICRC since July 2014. 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. Email address * This is for content moderation. 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. 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. Find out more about the Kindle Personal Document Service. Humanitarian principles: Operational relevance (3), 4. Read more about what we do and who we are. At the International Committee of the Red Cross, we are acutely aware that impartial humanitarian organizations are not immune from hostilities. It is impossible to talk about humanitarian action today without mentioning the reform of the UN humanitarian system. What about the principle of neutrality? They promote an operational approach dictated solely by existing humanitarian needs. IndependenceThe Movement is independent. 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. 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 " . Does IHL refer to the principles? } Humanitarian Outreach For Migrant Emotional Health is a Texas Domestic Non-Profit Corporation filed On October 6, 2020. The company's filing status is listed as In Existence and its File Number is 0803789521. 06 July 2010. To save this book to your Kindle, first ensure [email protected] please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. 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. 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. 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. Each of these different approaches have their place and fulfill a specific function. That means we had to recruit members and volunteers from the different communities of South Sudan. 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. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox. 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 meet in the cluster meetings, shared information and so on. 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. Yet, humanitarian action was born not from an abstract idea but on the battlefield. 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. ICRC statements, publications, event reports) about IHL and humanitarian principles and related topics. 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. Shortly following the creation of the South Sudan Red Cross, the country was plunged into armed conflict. The secession of South Sudan from the north in January 2011 paved the way for our new National Society in the south. What is expected of them is that they respect the organisations'need to apply these principles. 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. We use cookies to distinguish you from other users and to provide you with a better experience on our websites. At the end of the series, users will be able to: 1. 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. 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. 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. Humanitarian principles: Origins and definition (15), 3. IHL and humanitarian principles: Introduction (2), 5. 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. This obviously only works if belligerents and armed groups can trust that the ICR C is pursuing an exclusively humanitarian mission. 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. Armed forces also have a very important military role to play in providing security. Researchers may wish to use them as informative sources for their research projects on this topic. 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. 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. 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. 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. And before they go out, you still need to give them reminders on how to conduct themselves when interacting with their communities. Development or peace actors are driven by yet another set of ambitions. Before joining the ICRC, Emanuela was a legal adviser at the United Nations Compensation Commission. November 17, 2022,Analysis / Back to basics: humanitarian principles in contemporary armed conflict / Humanitarian Action / Law and Conflict 9 mins read. Lecturers are encouraged to use them to integrate the topic in their course or training.4. We are led by world class physicians and prioritize delivering the best in . 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. is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings Find out more about saving to your Kindle. June 16, 2022,Analysis / Back to basics: humanitarian principles in contemporary armed conflict / Call for contributions / Humanitarian Action / Law and Conflict 7 mins read. One and a half years later, civil war broke out in the newly formed country. In such cases, a clear and unambiguous separation from military objectives must of course be ensured. The reality is that aid organizations do take sides: they take the side of victims. 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. 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 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. 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 . Emanuela holds a B.A. 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. Humanitarian principles Humanity: Human suffering must be addressed whenever it is found. on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. Humanity, impartiality, neutrality, and independence have become household names in the humanitarian community. Thank you so much to you. The South Sudan Red Cross is a relatively young National Society, created a little over ten years ago with the independence of South Sudan. 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 . 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. 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. Your email address will not be made public. In the long run, this will probably open up possibilities for us to engage with them if need be. 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. 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. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. The Registered Agent on file for this company is Jenifer Wolf Williams and is located at 3612 Christopher Lane, Richardson, TX 75082. 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. 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? 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. Content may require purchase if you do not have access. The Cycle aimed at fostering a global discussion around principled humanitarian action and their concrete implications on the ground. 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. Humanitarian action is rarely driven solely by needs, but also by access and security considerations, and availability of funding. The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Humanitarian Environmental Animal Team is 471008531. Videos can also be watched and discussed in class, as an introduction to the topic triggering questions and debate.3. 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 . 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 . 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. 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. It is therefore an important aspect of our policy on staff security. While humanity and impartiality are principles that most, if not all, humanitarian actors adhere to, independence and neutrality are more complex. 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. New York (ICRC) - Today is an important day in the history of humanitarian action. 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. Prior to that, she spent seven years as legal adviser at the ICRC. 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. This flows from the principle of State sovereignty, general international law and the human rights obligations of States. 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. Was this challenging to follow, given the dynamics of the conflict? 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. Principled humanitarian action faces many challenges today. Four principles - humanity, impartiality, neutrality, and independence - are considered the foundations of humanitarian action. 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 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. It is the strict and predictable adherence to the humanitarian principles by several generations of ICRC delegates that has made this possible. 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. 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 ICRC's main donor governments recognized the need to maintain the ICRC's independence. The principle of neutrality is key, particularly if you are close to the conflict. 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. The Head of State just signed it because he happened to be the Head of State at that particular time. Published online by Cambridge University Press: 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. 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. When the volunteers arrived, they were unfortunately attacked by some of the internally displaced people (IDPs) there, and two of them were severely beaten. Today, despite very difficult circumstances, we continue to do our utmost to alleviate the suffering of the Iraqi population. I will therefore focus my argument on these two : independence and neutrality. Email address * This is for content moderation. 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. That a tension exists between the simplicity of the humanitarian principles and the difficulties associated with their application is beyond dispute. 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. suffering by promoting and strengthening humanitarian law and universal humanitarian principles. Eastern Equatoria, Torit county, South Sudan. 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. Hostname: page-component-5959bf8d4d-m7vrx 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. 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. We explained that the Red Cross was an impartial, independent institution in terms of the services that we deliver. 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. 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