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Introduction
The American Red Cross has a unique mandate to educate the American public about the guiding principles and International Humanitarian Law (IHL) framework for conduct in warfare as set forth by the Geneva Conventions of 1949. International humanitarian law is the branch of international law that encompasses both humanitarian principles and international treaties that seek to save lives and alleviate suffering of both combatants and noncombatants during armed conflicts. IHL's principal legal documents are the Geneva Conventions of 1949—four international treaties signed by almost every nation in the world. These Conventions provide specific rules to safeguard combatants (members of the armed forces) who are wounded, sick, or shipwrecked; prisoners of war; and civilians; as well as medical personnel, military chaplains, and civilian support workers of the military. The 1977 Additional Protocols, which supplement the Geneva Conventions, further expand these humanitarian rules. |
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Origins of International Humanitarian Law
International humanitarian law is founded on the principles of humanity, impartiality and neutrality. While its roots are ancient, the development of modern international humanitarian law can be credited to the efforts of a 19th Century Swiss businessman, Henry Dunant. In 1859, he witnessed the aftermath of a bloody battle among French and Austrian armies in Solferino, Italy. The departing armies left a battlefield littered with wounded and dying men. Despite Dunant's valiant efforts to mobilize aid for the soldiers, thousands died.
In A Memory of Solferino, his book about the experience, Dunant proposed that volunteer relief groups be granted protection during war in order to care for the wounded. From this idea, the International Committee of the Red Cross was born in 1863. Several months later, diplomats from 16 nations, assisted by representatives of military and medical services and humanitarian societies, negotiated a treaty. Known as the Geneva Convention, this agreement became the foundation of modern internal humanitarian law. |
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Protective Emblems
During the drafting of the Geneva Convention, it was realized there was a need for a universal symbol of protection that would be easily recognizable on the battlefield. In honor of the Swiss origin of the initiative, the symbol of a red cross on a white background (the reverse of the Swiss flag) was identified as a protective emblem in conflict areas. Later the Red Crescent was also recognized by nations as an additional emblem of humanitarian relief.
The Red Cross and Red Crescent emblems are universally recognized symbols of assistance for the victims of armed conflicts and natural disasters. In use since the nineteenth century, these emblems unfortunately do not always enjoy the respect to which they are entitled as visible signs of the strict neutrality of humanitarian work. Moreover, certain States find it difficult to identify with one or the other.
To resolve these issues, the States party to the Geneva Conventions adopted a protocol additional to the Conventions at a diplomatic conference in December 2005. The protocol establishes an additional emblem, commonly referred to as the Red Crystal, alongside the Red Cross and Red Crescent.
In 2006 the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement will amend its statutes to bring them into line with the new provisions of international humanitarian law.
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Register for Class
Introduction to International Humanitarian Law is intended to raise awareness among Red Cross representatives and general audiences about the Geneva Conventions, the basic rules of International Humanitarian Law, and the role of the Red Cross during armed conflict to implement IHL. Through a hands-on approach utilizing group activities, class discussion and multiple audiovisual aids, this newly-updated course invites participants to reflect on their images and perceptions of armed conflict and explore the powerful and fundamental concept of human dignity even in the midst of the excesses of war.
There is no cost to attend. Sign up for an available class below. |
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