Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement

The principles were adopted by the XX. International Red Cross Conference proclaimed in Vienna in 1965. The present adapted text is contained in the statutes of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which were approved by the XXV. International Red Cross Conference 1986 in Geneva.

humanity

The international Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which arose out of the will to provide indiscriminate aid to the wounded on the battlefield, endeavors in its international and national activities to prevent and alleviate human suffering anywhere and anytime. It strives to protect life and health and to ensure respect for human dignity. It promotes mutual understanding, friendship, cooperation and lasting peace among all peoples.

impartiality

The Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement does not differentiate between nationality, race, religion, social position or political conviction. She only tries to help people according to their needs and to give priority to the most urgent cases.

neutrality

In order to maintain the trust of all, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement abstains from participating in hostilities as well as, at any time, in political, racial, religious or ideological disputes.

independence

The Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is independent. Even if the National Societies support the authorities in their humanitarian work as aid organizations and are subject to the respective national laws, they must nevertheless maintain an independence that allows them to act at all times according to the principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

Voluntariness

The Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement embodies voluntary and unselfish help without any pursuit of profit.

unit

There can be only one National Red Cross or Red Crescent Society in each country. It must be open to everyone and carry out its humanitarian work throughout the area.

universality

The Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is global. In it all National Societies have equal rights and the duty to help one another.

Ideally, objectively and logically, the principles form a whole; "Only the whole 'charter' characterizes the movement and makes its specialty, even uniqueness."

Development of the principles

Gustave Moynier, President of the ICRC (1864-1910)

Even Henry Dunant set up uniform principles for the care of the wounded in his book “ A Memory of Solferino ” (voluntariness and universality). The founding members of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement soon agreed to act according to common goals and principles.

In 1875, the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Gustave Moynier, initially described four, more organizational, basic principles of the Red Cross:

• Principle of centralization
• Precautionary principle
• Principle of reciprocity and
• Principle of solidarity.

Moynier saw the ICRC as "the guardian of these principles" and calls on it "to use its influence when necessary to prevent deviations from these rules."

When the ICRC drafted its first statutes in 1919, it set itself the task of "maintaining the fundamental, uniform principles on which the institution is based" without defining them in more detail. This was done in 1920 by a member of the committee, Edmond Boissier. He writes: “The principle recognized and proclaimed by all societies united under the Red Cross flag to this day is universal charity, dedicated to the service of suffering humanity, regardless of religion, race or boundaries. In addition to independence and impartiality, charity and universality are the essential and distinguishing features of the Red Cross. ”When the statutes of the ICRC were revised in 1921, the following principles were laid down as the" sum of the fundamental principles ": impartiality, political, religious and economic independence, Universality and equality of its members. The Xth International Red Cross Conference ( Geneva , 1921), which met in the same year, affirmed the leading position of the ICRC with a resolution. "It [the conference] recognizes the committee as the guardian and disseminator of the moral and legal guidelines of the institution and instructs it to distribute and apply them worldwide." The principle of humanity, which was so self-evident for the authors of the time, is neither used by Bossier nor in mentioned in the statutes of the ICRC at that time. ICRC President Max Huber provides further work on the principles in his work Croix-Rouge et neutralité (The Red Cross and Neutrality).

The four principles previously worked out by the ICRC were considerably expanded in 1946. The Governing Council of the League of Red Cross Societies (today: International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies ) adopted a long list of principles in Oxford in 1946. There are 13 "Oxford Rules" to which six application rules are added. Apart from the previously existing four principles, this comprehensive work is only about regulations that affect the internal organization of the Red Cross. Neutrality and independence do not appear at all. In 1948 the League's Board of Governors changes the list of principles.

The symbols Red Cross and Red Crescent at the Red Cross Museum Geneva, Switzerland

The XVIII. International Red Cross Conference (1952, Toronto ) calls on the National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to strictly adhere to the principles. Impartiality, political, racial, religious and economic independence, universality and the equality of all national societies are named in Resolution Xa as the "cornerstones of the Red Cross movement".

A first systematic study of the principles appeared in 1955. Jean Pictet , a collaborator, later a member of the ICRC and well-deserved expert on the Red Cross, lists seventeen principles in his basic work, which he divides into two categories:

• Fundamental principles: humanity, equality, proportionality, impartiality, neutrality, independence, universality;
• Organic principles: selflessness, gratuitousness, voluntariness, additional assistance. Independence, general accessibility, equality of national societies, unity, solidarity, provision.

This study leads to a further discussion of the principles.

A motion by the Japanese Red Cross Society called for the principles established by Pictet to be adopted and the rules established in 1946/48 to be replaced by these. A working group was set up; In 1959 this proposed a new version to the National Societies. The responses submitted were largely positive. Only comments made by the Alliance of Soviet Red Cross and Red Moon Societies were discussed critically. In October 1961, the Council of Delegates adopted the present text with minor changes. In September 1962, these new principles were presented to the German Red Cross in a lecture by the DRK General Secretary Anton Schlögel in Bad Harzburg . In the Austrian Red Cross (WCC) through a lecture by Pictet at the 2nd WCC legal conference in 1962.

The XXV. International Conference (1965, Vienna ) adopted the principles as Resolution VIII unanimously without discussion. One conference participant said: “It was a solemn moment when the principles of the Red Cross were finally adopted (Resolution No. VIII). All participants rose from their seats and declared in mute unity that they recognize these principles as the mandatory basis of the Red Cross work. […] It is an undeniable success that these principles have been adopted in this solemn form, without votes against and without any abstention. The International Red Cross has thus given its testimony in a way that has seldom been seen before in its long history steeped in tradition. "

In 1986 a linguistic revision took place ( International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement instead of the previous Red Cross ; ideological disputes instead of ideological disputes based on the principle of neutrality as before ; addition of the Red Crescent Societies on the principle of unity) and the new adoption of the text. The inclusion of the principles in the preamble of the statutes of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement shows the particular importance of the principles in the movement.

Hans Haug , honorary member of the ICRC, offers a comprehensive interpretation of the principles in his publication, Menschlichkeit für alle ( Humanity for All) , which appeared in the first edition in 1991.

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the principles, in 2015, the German Red Cross published a 36-page brochure with the topic “The German Red Cross and the principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement ”. The aim of this publication is to contribute to a better understanding of the meaning, interpretation and application of the principles within and outside the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

Geneva Conventions and Principles

Since 1949, when the Geneva Conventions were revised and passed, provisions relating to the principles have been incorporated into international humanitarian law. Article 44 of the 1st Geneva Convention and Article 63 of the 4th Geneva Convention refer to “principles of the Red Cross”. Article 81 of Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Agreement also contains provisions on this.

Mandatory character of the principles

The principles are binding and binding for the components of the Red Cross movement (ICRC, Federation and National Societies). A National Society can only be recognized if it recognizes all ten conditions of recognition according to the Statute of the Movement, including the principles of the Movement; for it “must respect the principles of the movement and be guided in its activities by the principles of international humanitarian law.” The movement generally recognizes the binding nature of the principles. However, there are differences in the interpretation or practical application of individual principles from country to country.
The signatory states to the Geneva Conventions of 1949 have been obliged since 1986 to respect the binding of all components of the movement to the principles at all times. During an international conference, all participants (including state representatives) must respect the principles of the movement.
According to W. Starck, “the most important principles have indirectly become part of the Geneva Conventions and thus of international law.” This is received differently by Hans Haug: “It is obvious that these resolutions [of the International Red Cross Conferences] do not have any obligations in the legal sense create, neither for the members of the movement nor for the states represented at the conference. Their importance is moral or political; they want to and can contribute to forming an opinion. "

Commitment to disseminating the principles

According to the statutes of the movement, the ICRC, the Federation and the National Societies have the duty to uphold and disseminate the principles and ideals of the movement. This obligation is met extensively through publications or events; there are also guidelines for spreading the principles of the movement.
The Association of Sisterhoods of the German Red Cross in particular has dealt intensively with the principles and their implementation in daily work. This found expression in the professional ethical principles of the DRK sororities . A handout for working with the principles in DRK day-care centers is also available
. a. the convention commissioners are responsible for this so-called dissemination work. They perform their task within the framework of the statutes of the DRK and the DRK law (§ 2 No. 2).

Text version 1965

Humanity
Born out of the desire to care for the wounded on the battlefield indiscriminately, the Red Cross strives at international and national level to prevent and alleviate human suffering under all circumstances. It strives to protect life and health, as well as uphold awe for people. It demands mutual understanding, friendship, cooperation and lasting peace among all peoples.

Impartiality
It makes no distinction between citizenship, race, religion, social status and political affiliation. It only tries to help people according to their needs and to give priority to the most urgent cases.

Neutrality
In order to maintain general confidence, the Red Cross abstains from participating in hostilities as well as in political, racial, religious and ideological disputes at all times.

Independence
The Red Cross is independent: Although the national Red Cross societies support the authorities in their humanitarian activities and are subject to the respective state laws, they should nevertheless retain an independence that allows them to act at all times according to the principles of the Red Cross.

Voluntariness
The Red Cross is a voluntary and unselfish aid organization.

Unity
There can only be one Red Cross society in a country. It should be open to everyone and extend its humanitarian work across the entire area.

Universality
The Red Cross is a global institution in which all societies have equal rights and are obliged to help one another.

Literature selection

• Jean Pictet : The Principles of the Red Cross. Geneva 1956
• Jean-Luc Blondel: Origin and Development of the Principles of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent. In: Excerpts from the Revue Internationale de la Croix-rouge, Volume XLII, No. 4, July – August 1991, page 211 ff.
• Anton Schlögel : The XX. International Red Cross Conference in Vienna, October 2 to 9, 1965. In: The Commandment of the Hour - Speeches and essays in the year of the XX. International Red Cross Conference. Bonn 1966
• Walter Bargatzky : Striving to achieve “combative neutrality”. In: Humanität und Neutralität, DRK-Schriftenreihen Nr. 40, Bonn 1968
• Jean Pictet : The Principles of the Red Cross - A Commentary . Geneva and Bonn 1990
• Hans Haug : Humanity for everyone - the world movement of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent. 3rd, unchanged edition. Bern, Stuttgart, Vienna 1995
• Soscha Countess zu Eulenburg : Humanity in the social market or "What do the Red Cross principles in DRK welfare and social work actually (still) mean today?" In: Humanity in the social market - The principles of the Red Cross. Wiesbaden 2007, page 11 ff.
• German Red Cross e. V .: The importance of the Red Cross principles for educational work in the DRK day-care centers - working aid. 2nd edition, Berlin 2012
• Association of the sororities of the German Red Cross : Professional ethical principles of the sororities of the German Red Cross. 4th revised edition, Berlin 2012
• German Red Cross e. V .: The German Red Cross and the principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement 1st edition, Berlin 2015
• Christian Johann [Hrsg.]: DRK law: hand commentary. Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft, Baden-Baden 2019, ISBN 978-3-8487-1758-3 .

Individual evidence

1. ^ Resolutions adopted by the XXth International Conference of the Red Cross. In: International Review of the Red Cross , No. 56, November 1965
2. ↑ Official German version of the principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. In: Excerpts from the Revue Internationale de la Croix-Rouge , Volume XLI, No. 3, May-June 1990, pages 151-153
3. ↑ Hans Haug, 1995, page 466
4. ^ Gustave Moynier: Ce que c'est que la Croix rouge. In: Bulletin International des Sociétés de Secours aux Militaires Blessés, Volume 6, Issue 21, January 1875, pages 1–8
5. ↑ Edmond Bossier: L'avenir de la Croix-Rouge. In: Revue Internationale de la Croix-Rouge et Bulletin international des Sociétés de la Croix-Rouge, Volume 2, Issue 20, August 1920, pages 881-888
6. ^ Statuts du Comite international de la Croix-Rouge, Article 3. In: Revue Internationale de la Croix-Rouge et Bulletin international des Sociétés de la Croix-Rouge, Volume 3, Issue 28, April 1921, pp. 379-380
7. ^ Xth International Red Cross Conference, Geneva, 1921, Resolution XVI, (Organization internationale de la Croix-Rouge) paragraph 3, Compte rendue, p. 221
8. ^ Jean Pictet, 1956, p. 14
9. ^ Max Huber: Croix-Rouge et neutralité . In: Revue Internationale de la Croix-Rouge et Bulletin international des Sociétés de la Croix-Rouge, Volume 18, Issue 209, May 1936, pages 353-363
10. ^ The Principles of the Red Cross. In: International Red Cross Handbook, Geneva 1983, page 549 ff.
11. ^ The Principles of the Red Cross. In: International Red Cross Handbook, Geneva, 1983, p. 552
12. ^ Jean Pictet, 1956
13. ↑ Jean-Luc Blondel, 1991, page 218
14. ^ Anton Schlögel: The principles of the Red Cross. In: Meetings of the legal advisors of the German Red Cross. DRK series no. 27, issue 5, Bonn 1965, pages 39–48
15. ^ Jean Pictet: The Doctrine of the Red Cross. In: Lectures at the 2nd Legal Conference organized by the Austrian Society of the Red Cross, Vienna 1962. Geneva 1962
16. ↑ Schlögel, 1962, page 58 f.
17. ↑ International Review of the Red Cross, No. 255, November-December 1986, pp. 25 ff.
18. ↑ Hans Haug, 1995, pages 463-515
19. ^ I. Geneva Convention for the Improvement of the Lot of the Wounded and Sick in the Armed Forces; IV. Geneva Convention on the Protection of Civilians in Time of War. In: Bundesgesetzblatt II, No. 17, September 1, 1954. Additional Protocol of June 8, 1977 to the Geneva Convention of August 12, 1949 on the Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts (Protocol I). In: Bundesgesetzblatt II, No. 47, December 20, 1990.
20. ^ Haug, 1995, page 454
21. ^ Statutes of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. Article 4, Geneva 2006
22. ↑ Hans Haug, 1995, page 468
23. ^ Statutes of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. Article 2 No. 4, Article 11 No. 4. Geneva 1986
24. ^ W. Starck: International and national legal status of the Red Cross. In: Yearbook for International Law . Volume 13 (1967), page 210 ff.
25. ↑ Hans Haug, 1995, page 454 f.
26. ^ Statutes of the ICRC, 2003; Statutes of the Federation, 2007; Statute of the German Red Cross, 2009
27. ^ League of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies: Guidelines for Disseminating the Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. Geneva 1988/89
28. ↑ Professional ethical principles of the sororities of the German Red Cross. ( Memento of the original from February 21, 2015 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. 4th revised edition, Berlin 2012  
29. ↑ German Red Cross: The importance of the Red Cross principles for educational work in the DRK day-care centers - working aid. 2nd edition, Berlin 2012
30. ↑ Profile for Convention Commissioners of the German Red Cross ( Memento of the original from November 20, 2011 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link has been inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. ( PDF file , approx. 84 kB) 
31. ^ Statutes and arbitration rules of the German Red Cross. DRK series 4, 1971 edition, page 1