INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS

Red Cross Movement-ICRC mandate and operations

17 November, 2014
Dr. Rajeev Sadana,
Sr. Cooperation Advisor
ICRC Regional Delegation, New Delhi

Moving on
The International Red Cross/Red Crescent
Movement History
Fundamental Principles and Emblem
ICRC Status, Mandate, Mode of Operation
ICRC across the world
ICRC in India
ICRC with Indian Red Cross Society

BRIEF HISTORY
1859

1862

1875

1863

1864

THE RED CROSS/RED CRESCENT

MOVEMENT
International Federation of Red Cross
and Red Crescent Societies

National Societies

International Committee
of the Red Cross

National Societies
German Red Cross (1863) First NS
National Humanitarian organizations
Auxiliaries to own Government
Millions of volunteers
Programme varies according to needs
South Sudan (2013) Youngest NS
189 National Societies

IFRC
League of Red Cross founded in 1919 by
President of American Red Cross war
committee, 1991 name changed to IFRC
Founding members: National Societies of
Britain, France, Italy, Japan and USA
Headquarters in Geneva,189 National
Societies and 60 delegations

Movement Coordination
All Movement components meet regularly to
discuss common/important issues
Council of Delegates Once in two years
includes ICRC, IFRC and National Societies to
adopt resolutions on Movement action and
advocacy
The International Conference at Geneva Once
in 4 years includes National Societies, State
Parties to Geneva Conventions, IFRC and ICRC
International Conference is the highest
delibrative body

FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES
Humanity
Neutrality
Impartiality
Independence
Universality
Voluntary Service
Unity

History
Reverse of the colors of Swiss Flag
X

Emblems

Emblem

1859: (Solferino) highlighted need for a uniform emblem for the army medical services
distinguish from parties in conflict

1863:International Conference in Geneva adopted a Red Cross on a white backgroun

as the sign for Societies providing relief to wounded soliders

1864 Geneva Convention, the Red Cross officially recognised as a Movement symb

1876 Red Crescent used for first time by Turkey during conflict between Russia and
Turkey

1929 Authorization for the use of the Red Crescent (by most Islamic countries) and t
Red Lion (Iran) as emblems
1949 Confirmation of emblems in Geneva convention
1965 First regulation on the use of emblem by NSs
1980 Iran adopts the Red Crescent
2006 An additional emblem of Red Crystal

Nature of Emblem

A neutral sign

Confers protection to the Army Medical Services

and the members of International Red Cross Red
Crescent Movement

Not emblem of medical professionals and its use is

regulated by International and National laws.

Responsibility of governments to ensure respect for

emblem

Uses

Uses of the emblem

Protective Visible sign in arms conflict
given to medical services, equipments
and buildings of the armed forces under
international law.
Indicative NSs use to identify
themselves as part of global network.
Used during peacetime.
The rules for both are precise.

Misuse
Perfidious use of emblem to betray confidence of
adversary in military action
Government and Private -hospitals, dispensieries,
clinics, nursing homes and blood bank
Pharmecuticals
Traditional healers and herbalists
Organisations operating ambulance servies

Misuse of Emblem

Respect for Emblem

Misuse diminishes its protective value
Destroy the delicate mechanism established by
IHL (Humanitarian assistance to victims)
Diminishes the credibility of our Fundamental
Principles.
Responsibility of the government to ensure
respect the emblem.

Use of Emblem in India

India ratified Geneva Conventions in 1950
Indian law regulating the use of emblem is the
Geneva Conventions Act.
Parliament of India made law in 1960 on use of
emblem.
Misuse of the emblem is a punishable offence in
India.
Punishment of Rs. 500, besides provision of
forefeiture of goods/vehicles on which emblem is
used without authorisation.

CONSEQUENCES OF DISASTER/EMERGENCY

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ICRC Legal status

NGO

Inter-governmental Organisation

NEUTRAL, IMPARTIAL and

INDEPENDENT organization
with
INTERNATIONAL MANDATE AND DUTIES
States have entrusted the ICRC with specific
tasks under Geneva Conventions

ICRC's exclusively humanitarian mission is to

protect the lives and dignity of victims of armed
conflict and internal violence and to provide them
with assistance. It also promotes respect for
international
humanitarian
law
and
its
implementation in national law.

ICRCS MANDATE
Lives and Dignity of
victims of Armed
Conflict and Violence

Victims

Respect for
International Humanitarian Law

MODE OF OPERATION
PROXIMITY
DIALOGUE
COMPLIMENTARY

PRINCIPLED
CONFIDENTIAL
ACCESS

MODE OF OPERATION
The ICRC acts
In close proximity to victims
In dialogue with all parties and actors
In complementarity with other humanitarian
agencies
In accordance with the 7 principles of the RC/RC
Movement
CONFIDENTIALITY is the key

ICRC A NEUTRAL INTERMEDIARY

FACILITATES RELEASE OF HOSTAGES
DOES NOT NEGOTIATE RELEASE

33 foreign journalists and 2 foreign nationals evacuated in Tripoli

ICRC ACROSS THE WORLD

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ICRC IN INDIA Since 1918

THE ICRC IN INDIA

In India, the ICRC has
been active in India since
1918, mainly visiting
prisoners of war (POWs)
and other detainees.

It established its
permanent Regional
Delegation for South Asia
in 1982 in New Delhi.

The ICRC remained

active in India during the
20th century: World War
II, partition time between
India and Pakistan, SinoIndian conflict (1962),
independence of
Bangladesh (1971).

ACTIVITIES
ASSISTANCE PROTECTION PREVENTION COOPERATION

Armed Forces

Authorities

Civil Society

ICRC AND INDIA

INDIAN SECURITY FORCES

INTEGRATION OF IHL INTO THEIR DOCTRINE, EDUCATION &

TRAINING

ICRC IN INDIA
VISITING DETAINEES IN J&K

PHYSICAL REHABILITATION
ACTIVITIES

COOPERATION WITH THE

INDIAN RED CROSS
SOCIETY

ICRC in India works with:

Indian Red Cross Society
Academic Circles legal and non-legal
Journalists/Media
Armed forces and the paramilitary
Institutions working on physical
rehabilitation
Government authorities
Other Civil society actors

ICRC and IRCS

Indian Red Cross Society is ICRCs

primary and natural partner

2014 Assam, Andhra Pradesh,

Chhattisgarh, J&K, Jharkhand, Nagaland,
Odisha, Manipur, Maharashtra, Nagaland,
Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, U.P., West Bengal
(13 states)

Programmes with the IRCS

First Aid and First Medical Respnder
Staff/members/volunteers trainings
Dissemination of RC principles, emblem
Youth education programmes
Family News Services/Tracing
Support to the post graduate diploma
course since its first batch in 2006
Communication activities

ICRC AND INDIA