InternationalCommitteeoftheRedCross

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InternationalCommitteeoftheRedCross
ComitinternationaldelaCroixRouge(French)

Formation
Type

24June1863151yearsago
Privatehumanitarianorganization
TheICRCisbasedinGeneva,
Switzerlandandwasfoundedin1863.
Originallyitwasacommitteeoffive,
whichconsistedofinfluentialGeneva
familiescalledtheGenevasocietyof
Publicwelfare.Theycametogetherfora
Purpose
conferenceandmadeseveralproposals
includingThefoundationofnational
reliefsocietiesforwoundedsoldiers,
Neutralityandprotectionforwounded
soldiers,Theutilizationofvolunteer
forcesforreliefassistanceonthe
battlefieldandTheorganization.
Headquarters Geneva,Switzerland,England
Coordinates

461339N60814E
/
46.2274N
6.1373ECoordinates:
461339N60814E
/
4 6.2274N6.1373E

Region
served
Fields

Worldwide

President

PeterMaurer

Director
General

YvesDaccord

Budget
Staff
Website

Humanitarianism

CHF1110.2million(2012)[1]
180.7mforheadquarters
929.4mforfieldoperations
12,500(averagenumberofICRCstaffin
2011)[2]
www.icrc.org

TheInternationalCommitteeoftheRedCross(ICRC)isahumanitarianinstitutionbasedinGeneva,
SwitzerlandandathreetimeNobelPrizeLaureate.Stateparties(signatories)tothefourGeneva
Conventionsof1949andtheirAdditionalProtocolsof1977(ProtocolI,ProtocolII)and2005havegiven
theICRCamandatetoprotectvictimsofinternationalandinternalarmedconflicts.Suchvictimsinclude
warwounded,prisoners,refugees,civilians,andothernoncombatants.[3]
TheICRCispartoftheInternationalRedCrossandRedCrescentMovementalongwiththe

InternationalFederationofRedCrossandRedCrescentSocieties(IFRC)and189NationalSocieties.[4]
ItistheoldestandmosthonouredorganizationwithintheMovementandoneofthemostwidely
recognizedorganizationsintheworld,havingwonthreeNobelPeacePrizesin1917,1944,and1963.[5]

Contents
[hide]
1History
1.1Solferino,HenryDunantandthefoundationofICRC
1.2WorldWarI
1.3ChacoWar
1.4WorldWarII
1.5AfterWorldWarII
1.5.1Fatalities
1.6TheHolocaust
2Characteristics
2.1Mission
2.2Legalstatus
2.3LegalBasis
2.4Fundingandfinancialmatters
2.5ResponsibilitieswithintheMovement
3Organization
3.1Directorate
3.2Assembly
3.2.1AssemblyCouncil
3.2.2ThePresident
3.3Staff
3.4TheICRCworldwide2013
4Relationshipswithinthemovement
4.1AcceptanceofMagenDavidAdom
5RelationshipswithintheWorldOrder
6References
7Bibliography
7.1Books
7.2Articles
8Externallinks

History[edit]
Thissectionneedsadditionalcitationsforverification.Pleasehelpimprovethisarticleby
addingcitationstoreliablesources.Unsourcedmaterialmaybechallengedandremoved.
(August2012)

Solferino,HenryDunantandthefoundationofICRC[edit]

HenryDunant,authorof
"AMemoryofSolferino".
Upuntilthemiddleofthe19thcentury,therewerenoorganizedandwellestablishedarmynursing
systemsforcasualtiesandnosafeandprotectedinstitutionstoaccommodateandtreatthosewhowere

woundedonthebattlefield.InJune1859,theSwissbusinessmanHenryDunanttravelledtoItalytomeet
FrenchemperorNapolonIIIwiththeintentionofdiscussingdifficultiesinconductingbusinessin
Algeria,atthattimeoccupiedbyFrance.WhenhearrivedinthesmalltownofSolferinoontheevening
of24June,hewitnessedtheBattleofSolferino,anengagementintheFrancoAustrianWar.Inasingle
day,about40,000soldiersonbothsidesdiedorwereleftwoundedonthefield.HenryDunantwas
shockedbytheterribleaftermathofthebattle,thesufferingofthewoundedsoldiers,andtheneartotal
lackofmedicalattendanceandbasiccare.Hecompletelyabandonedtheoriginalintentofhistripandfor
severaldayshedevotedhimselftohelpingwiththetreatmentandcareforthewounded.Hesucceededin
organizinganoverwhelminglevelofreliefassistancebymotivatingthelocalpopulationtoaidwithout
discrimination.BackinhishomeinGeneva,hedecidedtowriteabookentitledAMemoryofSolferino[6]
whichhepublishedwithhisownmoneyin1862.Hesentcopiesofthebooktoleadingpoliticaland
militaryfiguresthroughoutEurope.Inadditiontopenningavividdescriptionofhisexperiencesin
Solferinoin1859,heexplicitlyadvocatedtheformationofnationalvoluntaryrelieforganizationstohelp
nursewoundedsoldiersinthecaseofwar.Inaddition,hecalledforthedevelopmentofinternational
treatiestoguaranteetheneutralityandprotectionofthosewoundedonthebattlefieldaswellasmedics
andfieldhospitals.

Originaldocumentofthefirst
GenevaConvention,1864.
On9February1863inGeneva,HenryDunantfoundedthe"CommitteeoftheFive"(togetherwithfour
otherleadingfiguresfromwellknownGenevafamilies)asaninvestigatorycommissionoftheGeneva
SocietyforPublicWelfare.[7]TheiraimwastoexaminethefeasibilityofDunant'sideasandtoorganize
aninternationalconferenceabouttheirpossibleimplementation.Themembersofthiscommittee,aside
fromDunanthimself,wereGustaveMoynier,lawyerandchairmanoftheGenevaSocietyforPublic
WelfarephysicianLouisAppia,whohadsignificantexperienceworkingasafieldsurgeonAppia's
friendandcolleagueThodoreMaunoir,fromtheGenevaHygieneandHealthCommissionand
GuillaumeHenriDufour,aSwissArmygeneralofgreatrenown.Eightdayslater,thefivemendecided
torenamethecommitteetothe"InternationalCommitteeforRelieftotheWounded".InOctober(2629)
1863,theinternationalconferenceorganizedbythecommitteewasheldinGenevatodeveloppossible
measurestoimprovemedicalservicesonthebattlefield.Theconferencewasattendedby36individuals:
eighteenofficialdelegatesfromnationalgovernments,sixdelegatesfromothernongovernmental
organizations,sevennonofficialforeigndelegates,andthefivemembersoftheInternationalCommittee.
ThestatesandkingdomsrepresentedbyofficialdelegateswereBaden,Bavaria,France,Britain,
Hanover,Hesse,Italy,theNetherlands,Austria,Prussia,Russia,Saxony,Sweden,andSpain.Amongthe
proposalswritteninthefinalresolutionsoftheconference,adoptedon29October1863,were:
Thefoundationofnationalreliefsocietiesforwoundedsoldiers
Neutralityandprotectionforwoundedsoldiers
Theutilizationofvolunteerforcesforreliefassistanceonthebattlefield
Theorganizationofadditionalconferencestoenacttheseconceptsinlegallybindinginternational
treatiesand
Theintroductionofacommondistinctiveprotectionsymbolformedicalpersonnelinthefield,
namelyawhitearmletbearingaredcross.

Memorialcommemorating
thefirstuseoftheRed
Crosssymbolinanarmed
conflictduringtheBattle
ofDybbl(Denmark)in
1864jointlyerectedin
1989bythenationalRed
Crosssocietiesof
DenmarkandGermany.

TheRedCrossinactionin1864
Onlyoneyearlater,theSwissgovernmentinvitedthegovernmentsofallEuropeancountries,aswellas
theUnitedStates,Brazil,andMexico,toattendanofficialdiplomaticconference.Sixteencountriessent
atotaloftwentysixdelegatestoGeneva.On22August1864,theconferenceadoptedthefirstGeneva
Convention"fortheAmeliorationoftheConditionoftheWoundedinArmiesintheField".
Representativesof12statesandkingdomssignedtheconvention:Baden,Belgium,Denmark,France,
Hesse,Italy,theNetherlands,Portugal,Prussia,Switzerland,Spain,andWrttemberg.Theconvention
containedtenarticles,establishingforthefirsttimelegallybindingrulesguaranteeingneutralityand
protectionforwoundedsoldiers,fieldmedicalpersonnel,andspecifichumanitarianinstitutionsinan
armedconflict.Furthermore,theconventiondefinedtwospecificrequirementsforrecognitionofa
nationalreliefsocietybytheInternationalCommittee:
Thenationalsocietymustberecognizedbyitsownnationalgovernmentasareliefsociety
accordingtotheconvention,and
ThenationalgovernmentoftherespectivecountrymustbeastatepartytotheGenevaConvention.
DirectlyfollowingtheestablishmentoftheGenevaConvention,thefirstnationalsocietieswerefounded
inBelgium,Denmark,France,Oldenburg,Prussia,Spain,andWrttemberg.Alsoin1864,LouisAppia
andCharlesvandeVelde,acaptainoftheDutchArmy,becamethefirstindependentandneutral
delegatestoworkunderthesymboloftheRedCrossinanarmedconflict.Threeyearslaterin1867,the
firstInternationalConferenceofNationalAidSocietiesfortheNursingoftheWarWoundedwas
convened.
Alsoin1867,HenryDunantwasforcedtodeclarebankruptcyduetobusinessfailuresinAlgeria,partly
becausehehadneglectedhisbusinessinterestsduringhistirelessactivitiesfortheInternational
Committee.ControversysurroundingDunant'sbusinessdealingsandtheresultingnegativepublic
opinion,combinedwithanongoingconflictwithGustaveMoynier,ledtoDunant'sexpulsionfromhis
positionasamemberandsecretary.Hewaschargedwithfraudulentbankruptcyandawarrantforhis
arrestwasissued.Thus,hewasforcedtoleaveGenevaandneverreturnedtohishomecity.Inthe
followingyears,nationalsocietieswerefoundedinnearlyeverycountryinEurope.In1876,the
committeeadoptedthename"InternationalCommitteeoftheRedCross"(ICRC),whichisstillits
officialdesignationtoday.Fiveyearslater,theAmericanRedCrosswasfoundedthroughtheeffortsof
ClaraBarton.MoreandmorecountriessignedtheGenevaConventionandbegantorespectitinpractice
duringarmedconflicts.Inarathershortperiodoftime,theRedCrossgainedhugemomentumasan
internationallyrespectedmovement,andthenationalsocietiesbecameincreasinglypopularasavenue
forvolunteerwork.

WhenthefirstNobelPeacePrizewasawardedin1901,theNorwegianNobelCommitteeoptedtogiveit
jointlytoHenryDunantandFrdricPassy,aleadinginternationalpacifist.Moresignificantthanthe
honoroftheprizeitself,theofficialcongratulationfromtheInternationalCommitteeoftheRedCross
markedtheoverduerehabilitationofHenryDunantandrepresentedatributetohiskeyroleinthe
formationoftheRedCross.DunantdiednineyearslaterinthesmallSwisshealthresortofHeiden.Only
twomonthsearlierhislongstandingadversaryGustaveMoynierhadalsodied,leavingamarkinthe
historyoftheCommitteeasitslongestservingpresidentever.
In1906,the1864GenevaConventionwasrevisedforthefirsttime.Oneyearlater,theHague
ConventionX,adoptedattheSecondInternationalPeaceConferenceinTheHague,extendedthescope
oftheGenevaConventiontonavalwarfare.ShortlybeforethebeginningoftheFirstWorldWarin1914,
50yearsafterthefoundationoftheICRCandtheadoptionofthefirstGenevaConvention,therewere
already45nationalreliefsocietiesthroughouttheworld.Themovementhadextendeditselfbeyond
EuropeandNorthAmericatoCentralandSouthAmerica(Argentina,Brazil,Chile,Cuba,Mexico,Peru,
ElSalvador,Uruguay,Venezuela),Asia(theRepublicofChina,Japan,Korea,Siam),andAfrica(South
Africa).

WorldWarI[edit]

Frenchpostcard
celebratingtheroleofRed
Crossnursesduringthe
FirstWorldWar,1915.
WiththeoutbreakofWorldWarI,theICRCfounditselfconfrontedwithenormouschallengeswhichit
couldonlyhandlebyworkingcloselywiththenationalRedCrosssocieties.RedCrossnursesfrom
aroundtheworld,includingtheUnitedStatesandJapan,cametosupportthemedicalservicesofthe
armedforcesoftheEuropeancountriesinvolvedinthewar.On15October1914,immediatelyafterthe
startofthewar,theICRCsetupitsInternationalPrisonersofWar(POW)Agency,whichhadabout
1,200mostlyvolunteerstaffmembersbytheendof1914.Bytheendofthewar,theAgencyhad
transferredabout20millionlettersandmessages,1.9millionparcels,andabout18millionSwissfrancs
inmonetarydonationstoPOWsofallaffectedcountries.Furthermore,duetotheinterventionofthe
Agency,about200,000prisonerswereexchangedbetweenthewarringparties,releasedfromcaptivity
andreturnedtotheirhomecountry.TheorganizationalcardindexoftheAgencyaccumulatedabout7
millionrecordsfrom1914to1923,eachcardrepresentinganindividualprisonerormissingperson.The
cardindexledtotheidentificationofabout2millionPOWsandtheabilitytocontacttheirfamilies,as
partoftheRestoringFamilyLinkseffortoftheorganization.Thecompleteindexisonloantodayfrom
theICRCtotheInternationalRedCrossandRedCrescentMuseuminGeneva.Therighttoaccessthe
indexisstillstrictlyrestrictedtotheICRC.
Duringtheentirewar,theICRCmonitoredwarringpartiescompliancewiththeGenevaConventionsof
the1907revisionandforwardedcomplaintsaboutviolationstotherespectivecountry.Whenchemical
weaponswereusedinthiswarforthefirsttimeinhistory,theICRCvigorouslyprotestedagainstthis
newtypeofwarfare.EvenwithouthavingamandatefromtheGenevaConventions,theICRCtriedto
amelioratethesufferingofcivilpopulations.Interritoriesthatwereofficiallydesignatedas"occupied
territories,"theICRCcouldassistthecivilianpopulationonthebasisoftheHagueConvention's"Laws
andCustomsofWaronLand"of1907.ThisconventionwasalsothelegalbasisfortheICRC'sworkfor
prisonersofwar.InadditiontotheworkoftheInternationalPrisonerofWarAgencyasdescribedabove
thisincludedinspectionvisitstoPOWcamps.Atotalof524campsthroughoutEuropewerevisitedby
41delegatesfromtheICRCuntiltheendofthewar.

Between1916and1918,theICRCpublishedanumberofpostcardswithscenesfromthePOWcamps.
Thepicturesshowedtheprisonersindaytodayactivitiessuchasthedistributionoflettersfromhome.
TheintentionoftheICRCwastoprovidethefamiliesoftheprisonerswithsomehopeandsolaceandto
alleviatetheiruncertaintiesaboutthefateoftheirlovedones.Aftertheendofthewar,theICRC
organizedthereturnofabout420,000prisonerstotheirhomecountries.In1920,thetaskofrepatriation
washandedovertothenewlyfoundedLeagueofNations,whichappointedtheNorwegiandiplomatand
scientistFridtjofNansenasits"HighCommissionerforRepatriationoftheWarPrisoners."Hislegal
mandatewaslaterextendedtosupportandcareforwarrefugeesanddisplacedpersonswhenhisoffice
becamethatoftheLeagueofNations"HighCommissionerforRefugees."Nansen,whoinventedthe
NansenpassportforstatelessrefugeesandwasawardedtheNobelPeacePrizein1922,appointedtwo
delegatesfromtheICRCashisdeputies.
Ayearbeforetheendofthewar,theICRCreceivedthe1917NobelPeacePrizeforitsoutstanding
wartimework.ItwastheonlyNobelPeacePrizeawardedintheperiodfrom1914to1918.In1923,the
Committeeadoptedachangeinitspolicyregardingtheselectionofnewmembers.Untilthen,only
citizensfromthecityofGenevacouldserveintheCommittee.Thislimitationwasexpandedtoinclude
Swisscitizens.AsadirectconsequenceofWorldWarI,anadditionalprotocoltotheGenevaConvention
wasadoptedin1925whichoutlawedtheuseofsuffocatingorpoisonousgasesandbiologicalagentsas
weapons.Fouryearslater,theoriginalConventionwasrevisedandthesecondGenevaConvention
"relativetotheTreatmentofPrisonersofWar"wasestablished.TheeventsofWorldWarIandthe
respectiveactivitiesoftheICRCsignificantlyincreasedthereputationandauthorityoftheCommittee
amongtheinternationalcommunityandledtoanextensionofitscompetencies.
Asearlyasin1934,adraftproposalforanadditionalconventionfortheprotectionofthecivil
populationduringanarmedconflictwasadoptedbytheInternationalRedCrossConference.
Unfortunately,mostgovernmentshadlittleinterestinimplementingthisconvention,anditwasthus
preventedfromenteringintoforcebeforethebeginningofWorldWarII.

ChacoWar[edit]
IntheInterwarperiod,BoliviaandParaguayweredisputingpossessionoftheGranChacoadesert
regionbetweenthetwocountries.Thedisputeescalatedintoafullscaleconflictin1932.Duringthewar
theICRCvisited18,000Bolivianprisonersofwarand2,500Paraguayandetainees.Withthehelpofthe
ICRCbothcountriesmadeimprovementstotheconditionsofthedetainees.[8]

WorldWarII[edit]

RedCrossmessagefromd,
Poland,1940.
ThemostreliableprimarysourceontheroleoftheRedCrossduringWorldWarIIarethethreevolumes
ofthe"ReportoftheInternationalCommitteeoftheRedCrossonitsactivitiesduringthesecondworld
war(September1,1939June30,1947)"writtenbytheInternationalCommitteeoftheRedCrossitself.
Thereportcanbereadonline.[9]
ThelegalbasisoftheworkoftheICRCduringWorldWarIIwastheGenevaConventionsintheir1929
revision.TheactivitiesoftheCommitteeweresimilartothoseduringWorldWarI:visitingand
monitoringPOWcamps,organizingreliefassistanceforcivilianpopulations,andadministeringthe
exchangeofmessagesregardingprisonersandmissingpersons.Bytheendofthewar,179delegateshad
conducted12,750visitstoPOWcampsin41countries.TheCentralInformationAgencyonPrisoners
ofWar(ZentralauskunftsstellefrKriegsgefangene)hadastaffof3,000,thecardindextracking
prisonerscontained45millioncards,and120millionmessageswereexchangedbytheAgency.One
majorobstaclewasthattheNazicontrolledGermanRedCrossrefusedtocooperatewiththeGeneva

statutesincludingblatantviolationssuchasthedeportationofJewsfromGermanyandthemassmurders
conductedintheconcentrationcampsrunbytheGermangovernment.Moreover,twoothermainparties
totheconflict,theSovietUnionandJapan,werenotpartytothe1929GenevaConventionsandwerenot
legallyrequiredtofollowtherulesoftheconventions.
Duringthewar,theICRCfailedtoobtainanagreementwithNaziGermanyaboutthetreatmentof
detaineesinconcentrationcamps,anditeventuallyabandonedapplyingpressuretoavoiddisruptingits
workwithPOWs.TheICRCalsofailedtodeveloparesponsetoreliableinformationaboutthe
exterminationcampsandthemasskillingofEuropeanJews.Thisisstillconsideredthegreatestfailureof
theICRCinitshistory.AfterNovember1943,theICRCachievedpermissiontosendparcelsto
concentrationcampdetaineeswithknownnamesandlocations.Becausethenoticesofreceiptforthese
parcelswereoftensignedbyotherinmates,theICRCmanagedtoregistertheidentitiesofabout105,000
detaineesintheconcentrationcampsanddeliveredabout1.1millionparcels,primarilytothecamps
Dachau,Buchenwald,Ravensbrck,andSachsenhausen.[10]

MarcelJunod,delegateofthe
ICRC,visitingPOWsin
Germany.
(BenoitJunod,Switzerland)

SwisshistorianJeanClaudeFavez,whoconductedan8yearreviewoftheRedCrossrecords,saysthat
eventhoughtheRedCrossknewbyNovember1942abouttheNazisannihilationplansfortheJews
andevendiscusseditwithU.S.officialsthegroupdidnothingtoinformthepublic,maintainingsilence
eveninthefaceofpleasbyJewishgroups.[11]
BecausetheRedCrosswasbasedinGenevaandlargelyfundedbytheSwissgovernment,itwasvery
sensitivetoSwisswartimeattitudesandpolicies.OnOctober1942,theSwissgovernmentandtheRed
CrossboardofmembersvetoedaproposalbyseveralRedCrossboardmemberstocondemnthe
persecutionofciviliansbytheNazis.Fortherestofthewar,theRedCrosstookitscuesfrom
SwitzerlandinavoidingactsofoppositionorconfrontationwiththeNazis.[12]

AsickPolishsurvivorinthe
HannoverAhlemconcentration
campreceivesmedicinefroma
GermanRedCrossworker,April
1945
On12March1945,ICRCpresidentJacobBurckhardtreceivedamessagefromSSGeneralErnst
KaltenbrunneracceptingtheICRC'sdemandtoallowdelegatestovisittheconcentrationcamps.This
agreementwasboundbytheconditionthatthesedelegateswouldhavetostayinthecampsuntiltheend
ofthewar.Tendelegates,amongthemLouisHaefliger(MauthausenCamp),PaulDunant
(TheresienstadtCamp)andVictorMaurer(DachauCamp),acceptedtheassignmentandvisitedthe
camps.LouisHaefligerpreventedtheforcefulevictionorblastingofMauthausenGusenbyalerting
Americantroops,therebysavingthelivesofabout60,000inmates.Hisactionswerecondemnedbythe
ICRCbecausetheyweredeemedasactingundulyonhisownauthorityandriskingtheICRC'sneutrality.
Onlyin1990,hisreputationwasfinallyrehabilitatedbyICRCpresidentCornelioSommaruga.

In1944,theICRCreceiveditssecondNobelPeacePrize.AsinWorldWarI,itreceivedtheonlyPeace
Prizeawardedduringthemainperiodofwar,1939to1945.Attheendofthewar,theICRCworkedwith
nationalRedCrosssocietiestoorganizereliefassistancetothosecountriesmostseverelyaffected.In
1948,theCommitteepublishedareportreviewingitswareraactivitiesfrom1September1939to30
June1947.SinceJanuary1996,theICRCarchiveforthisperiodhasbeenopentoacademicandpublic
research.

AfterWorldWarII[edit]

TheICRCHeadquartersin
Geneva.
On12August1949,furtherrevisionstotheexistingtwoGenevaConventionswereadopted.An
additionalconvention"fortheAmeliorationoftheConditionofWounded,SickandShipwrecked
MembersofArmedForcesatSea",nowcalledthesecondGenevaConvention,wasbroughtunderthe
GenevaConventionumbrellaasasuccessortothe1907HagueConventionX.The1929Geneva
convention"relativetotheTreatmentofPrisonersofWar"mayhavebeenthesecondGeneva
Conventionfromahistoricalpointofview(becauseitwasactuallyformulatedinGeneva),butafter1949
itcametobecalledthethirdConventionbecauseitcamelaterchronologicallythantheHague
Convention.ReactingtotheexperienceofWorldWarII,theFourthGenevaConvention,anew
Convention"relativetotheProtectionofCivilianPersonsinTimeofWar,"wasestablished.Also,the
additionalprotocolsof8June1977wereintendedtomaketheconventionsapplytointernalconflicts
suchascivilwars.Today,thefourconventionsandtheiraddedprotocolscontainmorethan600articles,
aremarkableexpansionwhencomparedtothemere10articlesinthefirst1864convention.
Incelebrationofitscentennialin1963,theICRC,togetherwiththeLeagueofRedCrossSocieties,
receiveditsthirdNobelPeacePrize.Since1993,nonSwissindividualshavebeenallowedtoserveas
Committeedelegatesabroad,ataskwhichwaspreviouslyrestrictedtoSwisscitizens.Indeed,sincethen,
theshareofstaffwithoutSwisscitizenshiphasincreasedtoabout35%.
On16October1990,theUNGeneralAssemblydecidedtogranttheICRCobserverstatusforits
assemblysessionsandsubcommitteemeetings,thefirstobserverstatusgiventoaprivateorganization.
Theresolutionwasjointlyproposedby138memberstatesandintroducedbytheItalianambassador,
VieriTraxler,inmemoryoftheorganization'soriginsintheBattleofSolferino.Anagreementwiththe
Swissgovernmentsignedon19March1993,affirmedthealreadylongstandingpolicyoffull
independenceoftheCommitteefromanypossibleinterferencebySwitzerland.Theagreementprotects
thefullsanctityofallICRCpropertyinSwitzerlandincludingitsheadquartersandarchive,grants
membersandstafflegalimmunity,exemptstheICRCfromalltaxesandfees,guaranteestheprotected
anddutyfreetransferofgoods,services,andmoney,providestheICRCwithsecurecommunication
privilegesatthesamelevelasforeignembassies,andsimplifiesCommitteetravelinandoutof
Switzerland.
TheICRCcontinueditsactivitiesthroughoutthe1990s.Itbrokeitscustomarymediasilencewhenit
denouncedtheRwandanGenocidein1994.Itstruggledtopreventthecrimesthathappenedinand
aroundSrebrenicain1995butadmitted,"Wemustacknowledgethatdespiteoureffortstohelp
thousandsofciviliansforciblyexpelledfromthetownanddespitethededicationofourcolleaguesonthe
spot,theICRC'simpactontheunfoldingofthetragedywasextremelylimited."[13]Itwentpubliconce
againin2007todecry"majorhumanrightsabuses"byBurma'smilitarygovernmentincludingforced
labor,starvation,andmurderofmen,women,andchildren.[14]
Fatalities[edit]
AttheendoftheColdWar,theICRC'sworkactuallybecamemoredangerous.Inthe1990s,more
delegateslosttheirlivesthanatanypointinitshistory,especiallywhenworkinginlocalandinternal
armedconflicts.TheseincidentsoftendemonstratedalackofrespectfortherulesoftheGeneva

Conventionsandtheirprotectionsymbols.Amongtheslaindelegateswere:
FrdricMaurice.Hediedon19May1992attheageof39,onedayafteraRedCrosstransporthe
wasescortingwasattackedintheformerYugoslaviancityofSarajevo.
FernandaCalado(Spain),IngeborgFoss(Norway),NancyMalloy(Canada),GunnhildMyklebust
(Norway),SherylThayer(NewZealand),andHansElkerbout(Netherlands).Theyweremurdered
atpointblankrangewhilesleepingintheearlyhoursof17December1996intheICRCfield
hospitalintheChechencityofNowijeAtaginearGrozny.Theirmurderershaveneverbeencaught
andtherewasnoapparentmotiveforthekillings.
RitaFox(Switzerland),VroniqueSaro(DemocraticRepublicofCongo,formerlyZaire),Julio
Delgado(Colombia),UnenUfoirworth(DRCongo),AduweBoboli(DRCongo),andJean
Molokabonge(DRCongo).On26April2001,theywereenroutewithtwocarsonareliefmission
inthenortheastoftheDemocraticRepublicofCongowhentheycameunderfatalfirefrom
unknownattackers.
RicardoMunguia(ElSalvador).HewasworkingasawaterengineerinAfghanistanandtravelling
withlocalcolleagueswhentheircarwasstoppedbyunknownarmedmen.Hewaskilled
executionstyleatpointblankrangewhilehiscolleagueswereallowedtoescape.Hediedatthe
ageof39.
VatcheArslanian(Canada).Since2001,heworkedasalogisticscoordinatorfortheICRCmission
inIraq.HediedwhenhewastravellingthroughBaghdadtogetherwithmembersoftheIraqiRed
Crescent.Theircaraccidentallycameintothecrossfireoffightinginthecity.
NadishaYasassriRanmuthu(SriLanka).Hewaskilledbyunknownattackerson22July2003,
whenhiscarwasfireduponnearthecityofHillainthesouthofBaghdad.
EmmerichPregetter(Austria).HewasanICRCLogisticsSpecialistwhowaskilledbyaswarmof
killerbeeson11August2008.EmmerichwasparticipatinginafieldtripalongwiththeICRC
WaterandHabitatteamonaconvoywhichwasdeliveringconstructionmaterialforreconstruction
ofaruralsurgicalhealthclinicintheareaofJebelMarra,WestDarfur,Sudan.

TheHolocaust[edit]
Bytakingpartinthe1995ceremonytocommemoratetheliberationoftheAuschwitzconcentration
camp,thePresidentoftheICRC,CornelioSommaruga,soughttoshowthattheorganizationwasfully
awareofthegravityofTheHolocaustandtheneedtokeepthememoryofitalive,soastopreventany
repetitionofit.Hepaidtributetoallthosewhohadsufferedorlosttheirlivesduringthewarand
publiclyregrettedthepastmistakesandshortcomingsoftheRedCrosswithregardtothevictimsofthe
concentrationcamps.[15]
In2002,anICRCofficialoutlinedsomeofthelessonstheorganizationhaslearnedfromthefailure:
fromalegalpointofview,theworkthatledtotheadoptionoftheGenevaConventionrelativeto
theprotectionofcivilianpersonsintimeofwar
fromanethicalpointofview,theadoptionofthedeclarationoftheFundamentalPrinciplesofthe
RedCrossandRedCrescent,buildingonthedistinguishedworkofMaxHuberandJeanPictet,to
preventanymoreabusessuchasthosethatoccurredwithintheMovementafterHitlerroseto
powerin1933
onapoliticallevel,theICRC'srelationshipwithSwitzerlandwasredesignedtoensureits
independence
withaviewtokeepingmemoriesalive,theICRCaccepted,in1955,totakeoverthedirectionof
theInternationalTracingServicewhererecordsfromconcentrationcampsaremaintained
finally,toestablishthehistoricalfactsofthecase,theICRCinvitedJeanClaudeFaveztocarryout
anindependentinvestigationofitsactivitiesonbehalfofthevictimsofNazipersecution,andgave
himunfetteredaccesstoitsarchivesrelatingtothisperiodoutofconcernfortransparency,the
ICRCalsodecidedtogiveallotherhistoriansaccesstoitsarchivesdatingbackmorethan50
yearshavinggoneovertheconclusionsofFavez'swork,theICRCacknowledgeditspastfailings
andexpresseditsregretsinthisregard.[16]
Inanofficialstatementmadeon27January2005,the60thanniversaryoftheliberationofAuschwitz,
theICRCstated:
AuschwitzalsorepresentsthegreatestfailureinthehistoryoftheICRC,aggravatedbyits
lackofdecisivenessintakingstepstoaidthevictimsofNazipersecution.Thisfailurewill
remainpartoftheICRC'smemory,aswillthecourageousactsofindividualICRCdelegates
atthetime.[17]

Characteristics[edit]

TheemblemoftheInternational
CommitteeoftheRedCross
(French:Comitinternationalde
lacroixrouge).
TheoriginalmottooftheInternationalCommitteeoftheRedCrosswasInterArmaCaritas("Amidst
War,Charity").IthaspreservedthismottowhileotherRedCrossorganizationshaveadoptedothers.Due
toGeneva'slocationintheFrenchspeakingpartofSwitzerland,theICRCisalsoknownunderitsinitial
FrenchnameComitinternationaldelaCroixRouge(CICR).However,theICRChasfourofficial
languages(Arabic,English,FrenchandSpanish).TheofficialsymboloftheICRCistheRedCrosson
whitebackground(theinverseoftheSwissflag)withthewords"COMITEINTERNATIONAL
GENEVE"circlingthecross.
NeutralityandEmbracingthediversity
UndertheGenevaConvention,theredcross,redcrescentandredcrystalemblemsprovideprotectionfor
militarymedicalservicesandreliefworkersinarmedconflictsandistobeplacedonhumanitarianand
medicalvehiclesandbuildings.Theoriginalemblemthathasaredcrossonawhitebackgroundisthe
exactreverseoftheflagofneutralSwitzerland.Itwaslatersupplementedbytwootherswhicharethe
RedCrescent,andtheRedCrystal.TheRedCrescentwasadoptedbytheOttomanEmpireduringthe
RussoTurkishwarandtheRedCrystalbythegovernmentsin2005,asanadditionalemblemdevoidof
anynational,politicalorreligiousconnotation.[18]

Mission[edit]
Theofficialmissionstatementsaysthat:"TheInternationalCommitteeoftheRedCross(ICRC)isan
impartial,neutral,andindependentorganizationwhoseexclusivelyhumanitarianmissionistoprotectthe
livesanddignityofvictimsofwarandinternalviolenceandtoprovidethemwithassistance."Italso
directsandcoordinatesinternationalreliefandworkstopromoteandstrengthenhumanitarianlawand
universalhumanitarianprinciples.[19]ThecoretasksoftheCommittee,whicharederivedfromthe
GenevaConventionsanditsownstatutes[20]are:
tomonitorcomplianceofwarringpartieswiththeGenevaConventions
toorganizenursingandcareforthosewhoarewoundedonthebattlefield
tosupervisethetreatmentofprisonersofwarandmakeconfidentialinterventionswithdetaining
authorities
tohelpwiththesearchformissingpersonsinanarmedconflict(tracingservice)
toorganizeprotectionandcareforcivilpopulations
toactasaneutralintermediarybetweenwarringparties
TheICRCdrewupsevenfundamentalprinciplesin1965thatwereadoptedbytheentireRedCross
Movement.[21]Theyarehumanity,impartiality,neutrality,independence,volunteerism,unity,and
universality.[22]

Legalstatus[edit]
ICRCistheonlyinstitutionexplicitlynamedunderInternationalHumanitarianLaw(IHL)asa

controllingauthority.ThelegalmandateoftheICRCstemsfromthefourGenevaConventionsof1949,
aswellasitsownStatutes.TheICRCalsoundertakestasksthatarenotspecificallymandatedbylaw,
suchasvisitingpoliticalprisonersoutsideofconflictandprovidingreliefinnaturaldisasters.
TheICRCisaprivateassociationregisteredinSwitzerlandthathasenjoyedvariousdegreesofspecial
privilegesandlegalimmunitieswithintheterritoryofSwitzerlandformanyyears.[when?]On19March
1993,alegalfoundationforthisspecialtreatmentwascreatedbyaformalagreementbetweentheSwiss
governmentandtheICRC.ThisagreementprotectsthefullsanctityofallICRCpropertyinSwitzerland
includingitsheadquartersandarchive,grantsmembersandstafflegalimmunity,exemptstheICRCfrom
alltaxesandfees,guaranteestheprotectedanddutyfreetransferofgoods,services,andmoney,provides
theICRCwithsecurecommunicationprivilegesatthesamelevelasforeignembassies,andsimplifies
CommitteetravelinandoutofSwitzerland.OntheotherhandSwitzerlanddoesnotrecognizeICRC
issuedpassports.[23]
Contrarytopopularbelief,theICRCisnotasovereignentityliketheSovereignMilitaryOrderofMalta
andalsoitisnotaninternationalorganization,neitherofnongovernmentalnorofgovernmentaltype.
TheICRClimitsitsmembershiptoSwissnationalsonly,andalsounlikemostNGOs [citationneeded]it
doesnothaveapolicyofopenandunrestrictedmembershipforindividualsasitsnewmembersare
selectedbytheCommitteeitself(aprocesscalledcooptation).However,sincetheearly1990s,theICRC
employspersonsfromallovertheworldtoserveinitsfieldmissionandatHeadquarters.In2007,almost
halfofICRCstaffwasnonSwiss.TheICRChasspecialprivilegesandlegalimmunitiesinmany
countries,[which?]basedonnationallawinthesecountries,basedonagreementsbetweentheICRCand
therespectivegovernments,or,insomecases,basedoninternationaljurisprudence(suchastherightof
ICRCdelegatesnottobearwitnessinfrontofinternationaltribunals).

LegalBasis[edit]
ICRCoperationsaregenerallybasedonInternationalHumanitarianLaw(IHL),thefourGeneva
Conventionsof1949,theirtwoAdditionalProtocolsof1977andAdditionalProtocolIIIof2005,the
StatutesoftheInternationalRedCrossandRedCrescentMovement,andtheresolutionsofthe
InternationalConferencesoftheRedCrossandRedCrescent.[24]
InternationalHumanitarianLaw(IHL),TreatiesandCustomaryLawInternationalHumanitarianLawisa
setofrulesthatcomeintoeffectinarmedconflicts.Itaimstominimizetheharmsofanarmedconflict
byimposingobligationsanddutiestothosewhoparticipateinarmedconflicts.IHLmainlydealswith
twoparts,theprotectionofpersonswhoarenot,ornolongertakingpartinfightingandrestrictionson
themeansandmethodsofwarfaresuchasweaponsandtactics.[25]IHLisfoundeduponGeneva
conventionswhichwerefirstsignedin1864by16countries.TraditionsandCustomshadgovernedthe
conductofwaruntilthen,whichvarieddependingonthelocationandtime.TheFirstGeneva
Conventionof1949coverstheprotectionforthewoundedandsickofarmedconflictonland.The
SecondGenevaConventionasksfortheprotectionandcareforthewounded,sickandshipwreckedof
armedconflictatsea.TheThirdGenevaConventionemphasizesthetreatmentofprisonersofwar.The
FourthGenevaConventionconcernstheprotectionofciviliansintimeofwar.Inaddition,thereare
manymorebodyofCustomaryInternationalLaws(CIL)thatcomeintoeffectwhennecessary.

Fundingandfinancialmatters[edit]
The2010budgetoftheICRCamountstoabout1156millionSwissfrancs.[26]AllpaymentstotheICRC
arevoluntaryandarereceivedasdonationsbasedontwotypesofappealsissuedbytheCommittee:an
annualHeadquartersAppealtocoveritsinternalcostsandEmergencyAppealsforitsindividual
missions.Thetotalbudgetfor2009consistsofabout996.9millionSwissFrancs(85%ofthetotal)for
fieldworkand168.6millionSwissFrancs(15%)forinternalcosts.In2009,thebudgetforfieldwork
increasedby6.9%andtheinternalbudgetby4.4%comparedto2008,primarilyduetoaboveaverage
increasesinthenumberandscopeofitsmissionsinAfrica.
MostoftheICRC'sfundingcomesfromSwitzerlandandtheUnitedStates,withtheotherEuropean
statesandtheEUclosebehind.TogetherwithAustralia,Canada,Japan,andNewZealand,they
contributeabout8085%oftheICRC'sbudget.About3%comesfromprivategifts,andtherestcomes
fromnationalRedCrosssocieties.[27]

ResponsibilitieswithintheMovement[edit]
TheICRCisresponsibleforlegallyrecognizingareliefsocietyasanofficialnationalRedCrossorRed

CrescentsocietyandthusacceptingitintotheMovement.Theexactrulesforrecognitionaredefinedin
thestatutesoftheMovement.AfterrecognitionbytheICRC,anationalsocietyisadmittedasamember
totheInternationalFederationofRedCrossandRedCrescentSocieties(theFederation,orIFRC).The
ICRCandtheFederationcooperatewiththeindividualnationalsocietiesintheirinternationalmissions,
especiallywithhuman,material,andfinancialresourcesandorganizingonsitelogistics.Accordingto
the1997SevilleAgreement,theICRCistheleadRedCrossagencyinconflictswhileother
organizationswithintheMovementtaketheleadinnonwarsituations.Nationalsocietieswillbegiven
theleadespeciallywhenaconflictishappeningwithintheirowncountry.

Organization[edit]
TheICRCisheadquarteredintheSwisscityofGenevaandhasexternalofficescalledDelegationsin
abouteightycountries.EachdelegationisundertheresponsibilityofaHeadofdelegationwhoisthe
officialrepresentativeoftheICRCinthecountry.Ofits2,000professionalemployees,roughly800work
initsGenevaheadquartersand1,200expatriatesworkinthefield.Abouthalfofthefieldworkersserve
asdelegatesmanagingICRCoperationsinthedifferentcountries,whiletheotherhalfarespecialistslike
doctors,agronomists,engineers,orinterpreters.Inthedelegations,theinternationalstaffareassistedby
some13,000nationalemployees,bringingthetotalstaffundertheauthorityoftheICRCtoroughly
15,000.DelegationsalsooftenworkcloselywiththeNationalRedCrossSocietiesofthecountrieswhere
theyarebased,andthuscancallonthevolunteersoftheNationalRedCrosstoassistinsomeofthe
ICRCoperations.
TheorganizationalstructureoftheICRCisnotwellunderstoodbyoutsiders.Thisispartlybecauseof
organizationalsecrecy,butalsobecausethestructureitselfishighlymutableandhasbeenproneto
change.TheAssemblyandPresidencyaretwolongstandinginstitutions,buttheAssemblyCounciland
Directoratewerecreatedonlyinthelatterpartofthetwentiethcentury.Decisionsareoftenmadeina
collectiveway,soauthorityandpowerrelationshipsarenotsetinstone.Today,theleadingorgansare
theDirectorateandtheAssembly.[citationneeded]

Directorate[edit]
TheDirectorateistheexecutivebodyoftheCommittee.ItattendstothedailymanagementoftheICRC,
whereastheAssemblysetspolicy.TheDirectorateconsistsofaDirectorGeneralandfivedirectorsin
theareasof"Operations","HumanResources","FinancialResourcesandLogistics","Communication
andInformationManagement",and"InternationalLawandCooperationwithintheMovement".The
membersoftheDirectorateareappointedbytheAssemblytoserveforfouryears.TheDirectorGeneral
hasassumedmorepersonalresponsibilityinrecentyears,muchlikeaCEO,wherehewasformerlymore
ofafirstamongequalsattheDirectorate.[28]

Assembly[edit]
TheAssembly(alsocalledtheCommittee)convenesonaregularbasisandisresponsiblefordefining
aims,guidelines,andstrategiesandforsupervisingthefinancialmattersoftheCommittee.The
AssemblyhasamembershipofamaximumoftwentyfiveSwisscitizens.Membersmustspeakthe
houselanguageofFrench,butmanyalsospeakEnglishandGermanaswell.TheseAssemblymembers
arecooptedforaperiodoffouryears,andthereisnolimittothenumberoftermsanindividualmember
canserve.Athreequartersmajorityvotefromallmembersisrequiredforreelectionafterthethirdterm,
whichactsasamotivationformemberstoremainactiveandproductive.
Intheearlyyears,everyCommitteememberwasGenevan,Protestant,white,andmale.Thefirstwoman,
ReneMargueriteCramer,wascooptedin1918.Sincethen,severalwomenhaveattainedtheVice
Presidency,andthefemaleproportionaftertheColdWarhasbeenabout15%.ThefirstnonGenevans
wereadmittedin1923,andoneJewhasservedintheAssembly.[29]
WhiletherestoftheRedCrossMovementmanybemultinational,theCommitteebelievesthatits
mononationalnatureisanassetbecausethenationalityinquestionisSwiss.ThankstopermanentSwiss
neutrality,conflictingpartiescanbesurethatnoonefrom"theenemy"willbesettingpolicyinGeneva.
[30]TheFrancoPrussianWarof187071showedthatevenRedCrossactors(inthiscaseNational
Societies)canbesoboundbynationalismthattheyareunabletosustainneutralhumanitarianism.[31]

JakobKellenberger,former
presidentoftheICRC(2000
2012)
AssemblyCouncil[edit]
Furthermore,theAssemblyelectsafivememberAssemblyCouncilthatconstitutesanespeciallyactive
coreoftheAssembly.TheCouncilmeetsatleasttentimesperyearandhastheauthoritytodecideon
behalfofthefullAssemblyinsomematters.TheCouncilisalsoresponsiblefororganizingtheAssembly
meetingsandforfacilitatingcommunicationbetweentheAssemblyandtheDirectorate.TheAssembly
Councilnormallyincludesthepresident,twovicepresidentsandtwoelectedmembers.Whileoneofthe
vicepresidentsiselectedforafouryearterm,theotherisappointedpermanentlywithhistenureending
byretirementfromthevicepresidencyorfromtheCommittee.Currently[when?]OlivierVodozand
ChristineBeerli[32]arevicepresidents.[33]
ThePresident[edit]
TheAssemblyalsoselects,foratermoffouryears,oneindividualtoactasPresidentoftheICRC.The
presidentisbothamemberoftheAssemblyandleaderoftheICRC,andhehasalwaysbeenincludedon
theCouncilsinceitsformation.ThePresidentautomaticallybecomesamemberoftheaforementioned
groupsonceheisappointed,buthedoesnotnecessarilycomefromwithintheICRCorganization.There
isastrongfactionwithintheAssemblythatwantstoreachoutsidetheorganizationtoselectapresident
fromtheSwissgovernmentorprofessionalcircleslikethebankingormedicalfields.[34]Infact,thelast
fourpresidentswerepreviouslyofficialsintheSwissgovernment.Thepresident'sinfluenceandroleis
notwelldefined,andchangesdependinguponthetimesandeachpresident'spersonalstyle.From2000
to2012,thepresidentoftheICRCwasJakobKellenberger,areclusivemanwhorarelymadediplomatic
appearancesbutwasquiteskilledinpersonalnegotiationandcomfortablewiththedynamicsofthe
Assembly.[35]SinceJuly2012,thepresidentisPeterMaurer,aformerSwissStatesecretaryforforeign
affairs.HehasbeenappointedbytheAssemblyforarenewablefouryearterm.[36]
ThepresidentsoftheICRChavebeen:
18631864:HenriDunant
18631864:HenriDufour
18641910:GustaveMoynier
19101928:GustaveAdor
19281944:MaxHuber
19441948:CarlJacobBurckhardt
19481955:PaulRuegger
19551964:LeopoldBoissier
19641969:SamuelGonard
19691973:MarcelNaville
19731976:EricMartin
19761987:AlexandreHay
19871999:CornelioSommaruga
20002012:JakobKellenberger

Since2012:PeterMaurer

Staff[edit]
AstheICRChasgrownandbecomemoredirectlyinvolvedinconflicts,ithasseenanincreasein
professionalstaffratherthanvolunteersovertheyears.TheICRChadonlytwelveemployeesin1914[37]
and1,900intheSecondWorldWarcomplementedits1,800volunteers.[38]Thenumberofpaidstaff
droppedoffafterbothwars,buthasincreasedonceagaininthelastfewdecades,averaging500field
staffinthe1980sandoverathousandinthe1990s.Beginninginthe1970s,theICRCbecamemore
systematicintrainingtodevelopamoreprofessionalstaff.[39]TheICRCisanattractivecareerfor
universitygraduatesespeciallyinSwitzerland,[40]buttheworkloadasanICRCemployeeisdemanding.
15%ofthestaffleaveseachyearand75%ofemployeesstaylessthanthreeyears.[41]TheICRCstaffis
multinationalandaveragedabout50%nonSwisscitizensin2004.TheICRC'sinternationalstaffare
assistedintheirworkbysome13,000nationalemployeeshiredinthecountrieswherethedelegationsare
based.

TheICRCworldwide2013[edit]
TheICRCoperatesinover80countrieswithatotalnumberof11,000employedpeopleworldwide.The
extensivenetworkofmissionsanddelegationsoftheICRCcanrelieveNationsthatareaffectedby
armedconflictsandothersourcesofviolence.In2013thetenlargestoperationsworldwidearePakistan,
Mali/Niger,Afghanistan,Yemen,Iraq,Colombia,Israel,Somalia,DemocraticRepublicoftheCongo
andSudan.[42]

Relationshipswithinthemovement[edit]
Byvirtueofitsageandplaceininternationalhumanitarianlaw,theICRCistheleadagencyintheRed
CrossMovement,butithasweatheredsomepowerstruggleswithinthemovement.TheICRChascome
intoconflictwiththeFederationandcertainnationalsocietiesatvarioustimes.TheAmericanRedCross
threatenedtosupplanttheICRCwithitscreationoftheInternationalFederationofRedCrossandRed
CrescentSocietiesas"arealinternationalRedCross"aftertheFirstWorldWar.[43]Elementsofthe
SwedishRedCrossdesiredtosupplanttheSwissauthorityoftheICRCafterWWII.[44]Overtimethe
Swedishsentimentssubsided,andtheIFRCgrewtoworkmoreharmoniouslywiththeICRCafteryears
oforganizationaldiscord.[45]Currently,theIFRC'sMovementCooperationdivisionorganizes
interactionandcooperationwiththeICRC.
In1997,theICRCandtheIFRCsignedtheSevilleAgreementwhichfurtherdefinedtheresponsibilities
ofbothorganizationswithinthemovement.AccordingtotheAgreement,theFederationistheLead
AgencyoftheMovementinanyemergencysituationwhichdoesnottakeplaceaspartofanarmed
conflict.

AcceptanceofMagenDavidAdom[edit]
Fromitsinceptionin1930until2006,theMagenDavidAdomorganization,theIsraeliequivalenttothe
RedCross,wasnotacceptedaspartoftheFederation,asitusedtheStarofDavid,whichtheICRC
refusedtorecognizeasanacceptablesymbol.ThismeantthatalthoughArabambulanceswouldbe
protectedbytheICRC,Israeliambulanceswouldnot.InMay2000,BernadineHealy,thepresidentof
theAmericanRedCross,wrote:"Theinternationalcommittee'sfearedproliferationofsymbolsisa
pitifulfigleaf,usedfordecadesasthereasonforexcludingtheMagenDavidAdomtheShield(or
Star)ofDavid."InprotestovertheICRC'sperceivedantiIsraeldiscrimination,theARCwithdrewits
financialsupport.In2005,atameetingofnationspartytotheGenevaconvention,theICRCadoptedthe
newRedCrystal.MagenDavidAdomthencenteredtheStarofDavidsigninsidethenewlyaccepted
signage,andin2006wasacceptedasafullmember.YonatanYagodovsky,directorofMDAs
fundraisingdepartment,saidinanarticlepublishedinOctober2011that"MDAwillcontinuetouseits
emblemandlogo,andnooneeveraskedustotakeitoff."[46]

RelationshipswithintheWorldOrder[edit]

TheNobelPeacePrizeceremony
in1963whentheprizewasjointly
awardedtotheICRCandthe
Federation.Fromlefttoright:
KingOlavofNorway,ICRC
PresidentLeopoldBoissier,
LeagueChairmanJohn
MacAulay.
TheICRCisoneofthelargestandmostrespectedhumanitarianandnonstateactorsintheinternational
system.Itseffortshaveprovidedaidandprotectiontovictimsofarmedstruggleinnumerousconflicts
foroveracentury.
TheICRCpreferstoengagestatesdirectlyandreliesonlowkeyandconfidentialnegotiations[47]to
lobbyforaccesstoprisonersofwarandimprovementintheirtreatment.Itsfindingsarenotavailableto
thegeneralpublicbutaresharedonlywiththerelevantgovernment.Thisisincontrasttorelated
organizationslikeDoctorsWithoutBordersandAmnestyInternationalwhoaremorewillingtoexpose
abusesandapplypublicpressuretogovernments.TheICRCreasonsthatthisapproachallowsitgreater
accessandcooperationfromgovernmentsinthelongrun.
Whengrantedonlypartialaccess,theICRCtakeswhatitcangetandkeepsdiscreetlylobbyingfor
greateraccess.IntheeraofapartheidSouthAfrica,itwasgrantedaccesstoprisonerslikeNelson
Mandelaservingsentences,butnottothoseunderinterrogationandawaitingtrial.[48]Afterhisrelease,
MandelapubliclypraisedtheRedCross.[49]
SomegovernmentsusetheICRCasatooltopromotetheirownends.[citationneeded]Thepresenceof
respectableaidorganizationscanmakeweakregimesappearmorelegitimate.FionaTerrycontendsthat
"thisisparticularlytrueofICRC,whosemandate,reputation,anddiscretionimbueitspresencewitha
particularlyaffirmingquality."[50]Recognizingthispower,theICRCcanpressureweakgovernmentsto
changetheirbehaviorbythreateningtowithdraw.Asmentionedabove,NelsonMandelaacknowledged
thattheICRCcompelledbettertreatmentofprisoners[51]andhadleverageoverhisSouthAfrican
captorsbecause"avoidinginternationalcondemnationwastheauthorities'maingoal."[52]
InacontroversialmovedemonstratingtheICRC'scommitmenttoneutrality,threeofficialsfromthe
Hamaspoliticalparty,whichsomegovernmentsdesignateaterroristorganization,havebeenlivingatthe
InternationalRedCrossofficeinJerusalem.IsraelbelievesthatthesethreeHamaslegislatorshadarole
inthe2006kidnappingofIsraelisoldierGiladShalit,andhasadeportationordersetforthem.RedCross
spokespersonCeciliaGoin,inspeakingwithCBNNewssaidthathostingthewantedHamasofficialsis
inlinewiththeorganization'shumanitarianmission.[53]IsraelarrestedtwooftheHamasmembersfor
conducting"HamasactivitiesinsideJerusalem,"saidthepolice.[54]

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GeorgesWillemin,RogerHeacock:InternationalOrganizationandtheEvolutionofWorld
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Articles[edit]
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JeanPhilippeLavoyer,LouisMaresca:TheRoleoftheICRCintheDevelopmentofInternational
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