synonymICRC(ICC) generally refers to the International Committee of the Red Cross
The International Committee of the Red Cross was founded bySwitzerlandpeoplehenry dunant The initiative was established.At that time, it was called the "International Committee for the Rescue of Wounded Soldiers", which was renamed in 1880.It is the first Red Cross organization in the world and a Swiss civil society.It is composed entirely of Swiss citizens, protected and bound by Swiss law, and headquartered inGeneva。Its highest authority is the annual plenary meeting, during which the Executive Board leads the daily affairs.The purpose of the committee is to do good in war.according toGeneva Convention The Commission, as a neutral group, protects and relieves war victims, and accepts relevant violationshumanitarianismThe allegations of the Convention are committed to improving and disseminating humanitarian conventions, cooperating with relevant groups in training medical personnel and developing medical equipment.[1]
The history of the International Committee of the Red Cross from 1863 to modern times can be divided into four parts: the early days of the founding of the Red Cross,the First World WarFrom 1918 to 1939,the Second World Warperiod.The International Committee of the Red Cross has been committed to developing laws regulating armed conflict in order to better protect those who do not participate or no longer participate in combat;The International Committee of the Red Cross and《Geneva Convention 》Closely linked.
The founding and initial stage of the International Committee of the Red Cross: 1863-1914
The International Committee of the Red Cross was founded on February 9, 1863henry dunant Wait for 5 people to create“Five member committee”Developed from.Henry DunantBattle of Solferino During this period, I witnessed the terrible consequences of the war, and wrote after returning home《Memory of Solferino 》He also advocates vigorously developing international conventions to protect the wounded on the battlefield, as well as ambulance personnel and field hospitals, and ensure their neutrality.
On February 9, 1863, Henry Dunant andGenevaFour main characters of the well-known family founded the“Five member committee”Eight days later, five people decided to change the name of the committee to“International Committee for the Rescue of Wounded Soldiers”。
On October 26-29, 1863, an international conference convened by the Commission was held in Geneva to discuss how to formulate feasible measures to improve the conditions of medical services in the field.From 1863 to 1914, through the increasingly effective actions of the Commission, Henry Dunant's dream became a reality.Since Mr. Dunan is a Swiss, in order to recognize his outstanding contribution to international humanitySwiss flagThe flag with the same pattern but the opposite color is the flag of the organization, which is the Red Cross flag.
At the same time, the establishment and development of the Committee also promoted《Geneva Convention 》And《International humanitarian law》The birth of.In 1876, the Commission adopted a new name“international committee of the red cross”, the official name continues.
Five years later, it was approvedClara Barton Efforts,American Red CrossEstablishment.More and more countries have signed the Geneva Conventions and actually observed them in armed conflicts.In a relatively short period of time, the Red Cross Movement has been widely respected and developed internationally, and the National Red Cross Society has increasingly become a place for volunteer work.
The International Committee of the Red Cross and the First World War
staythe First World WarDuring this period, the International Committee of the Red Cross - and the Red Cross in general - has been fully developed.National Red Cross Societies provide emergency team volunteers and more support in the rear at a scale previously unimaginable. At the same time, the International Committee of the Red Cross has expanded its work to protect prisoners of war.
It established the International Bureau of Prisoners of War, a central clearing house for information on the list of detainees and the supply of relief packages.[3]When many civilians are cut off from the enemy's rear, it will also bring the message transmission for civilians into its scope of work.The International Committee of the Red Cross launched an appeal in February 1918, calling on belligerents to stop using toxic gases.[4]
History of the International Committee of the Red Cross: 1918-1939
The 1914-1918 conflict was described as a war to "end all wars";The Red Cross focused its work on maintaining peace, and it began to organize and work in that direction.
The poorly healed wounds of the First World War, economic disasters and the rise of nationalism led to some conflicts, and the International Committee of the Red Cross found itself working in Europe, as well as in distant places - Asia, Africa andLatin AmericaCarry out the work.It has to face more and more civil conflicts with rising civilian casualties.The legal basis it needed was scarce, and although it tried to make the government adopt new laws to protect civilians, the lack of laws after 1939 had disastrous consequences.
The International Committee of the Red Cross and the Second World War
staythe Second World WarDuring this period, only Latin America and several neutral European countries were spared the scourge of war.In history, military aircraft made it possible to bombard hundreds of square kilometers of enemy territory for the first time;For the first time, the number of victims among civilians also exceeded that of soldiers.from the beginning,HitlerThe regime launched a campaign aimed at conqueringSlavic nationalityAnd eliminate allIsraelandgypsyThe racial war.International humanitarian law includes rules regulating the treatment of prisoners of war (Geneva Convention of July 27, 1929), but does not include rules regulating the treatment of the civilian population.
Therefore, the International Committee of the Red Cross can carry out activities to protect and assist prisoners of war, but its work for certain types of civilians - especially those held in concentration camps - is very limited, or even non-existent.
International Committee of the Red Cross since 1945
While Europe, the breeding ground of most violence in the twentieth century, was trying to build a fortress of peace, the rest of the world continued to suffer the impact of conflict;Some conflicts have taken on new forms, with freedom fighters, guerrilla movements and authoritarian regimes occupying the central stage.
In order to meet the challenges posed by the changing war, and taking into account the development of the 1930s and 1940s, we need new legal rules.First, the Geneva Convention was amended and supplemented in 1949;In 1977, the two Additional Protocols improved it.The International Committee of the Red Cross assisted in the drafting of all these laws.
The International Committee of the Red Cross has more or less participated in the conflicts in the period after 1945, and has unique insight into the humanitarian problems arising from them.The last part of the history of the International Committee of the Red Cross is gradually being updated to provide an overview of its work.[5]
The International Committee of the Red Cross continued its activities in the 1990s.In 1994, the International Committee of the Red Cross broke its silence on the media and publicly condemnedRwanda genocide。Although the organization tried its best to prevent the occurrence ofSrebrenicaAlthough it has tried its best to help thousands of civilians expelled from the city, and despite the delegates' full commitment to the field work, the International Committee of the Red Cross has exerted very limited influence on the development of this tragedy
In 2007, the International Committee of the Red Cross once again made a public statement condemningMyanmarThe "major violations of human rights" committed by the military government include forced labor, hunger, murder and other acts against innocent civilians, regardless of age, men and women.
TalibanspokesmanZabiulah MujahidOn September 15, 2019, it was said that the Taliban had resumed its "security commitment" to the International Committee of the Red Cross, instructing all armed personnel to pave the way for the work of the International Committee of the Red Cross and pay attention to the safety of personnel and equipment of this institution.This armed group now controlsAfghanistanNearly half of the country.[6]
Legal responsibilities of the International Committee of the Red Cross
This responsibility has two sources:
international committee of the red cross
The Geneva Convention enables the International Committee of the Red Cross to undertake the following tasks: visiting detainees;Organize rescue operations;To help reunite separated families and carry out similar humanitarian activities during armed conflict.
The Statute of the International Committee of the Red Cross, which encourages the organization to undertake similar work in cases of domestic violence to which the Geneva Conventions do not apply.
The Geneva Conventions are bindingInternational law treatiesIt has applicability in the world.The Statute of the International Committee of the Red CrossInternational Conference of the Red Cross and Red CrescentPassed on.The conference is held every four yearsState partyThey all participated in the meeting. Therefore, it gave the Statute of the International Committee of the Red Cross a kind ofQuasi lawOr“Soft law”Status.
Purpose of the International Committee of the Red Cross
The International Committee of the Red Cross is an impartial, neutral and independent organization. Its unique humanitarian mission is to protect the lives and dignity of victims of armed conflicts and other situations of violence, and to provide them with assistance.
The International Committee of the Red Cross has also tried to prevent suffering by promoting and strengthening humanitarian law and the principle of universal humanity.The International Committee of the Red Cross was founded in 1863International Red Cross and Red Crescent MovementThe initiator of.The organization is responsible for guiding and coordinating the international actions of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in armed conflicts and other situations of violence.[7]
Organization
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1、 Congress: the highest authority.Formulate working principles and general policies and supervise all activities of the Committee.The Congress is composed of members of the International Committee.The members are elected among Swiss citizens by self selection, once every four years.
2、 Executive Council: It is responsible for guiding daily affairs and supervising administrative management. Its members are elected by the Congress.[2]
In 2002, the General Assembly decided to adjust the structure of the Steering Committee. The governing body of the International Committee of the Red Cross consists of the General Assembly, the Council of the General Assembly and the Bureau, and is solely responsible for formulating the policies, strategies and resolutions of the International Committee of the Red Cross on the development of international humanitarian law.These bodies supervise all activities carried out by the organization, including front-line and headquarters operations, as well as target and budget approval.They also supervise the implementation of resolutions of the Steering Committee of the General Assembly or the Council of the General Assembly, and work in this regard with the assistance of the Oversight Committee and the internal and external audit units.
The International Committee of the Red Cross is composed of the General Assembly (the highest governing body)council(A subsidiary body of the General Assembly, which has the function of representing the Assembly in some aspects) and the Steering Committee (executive body) jointly manage.On October 1, 2022, the new President of the International Committee of the Red Cross[8]Miriana Spoliaritz EgerSucceed his predecessorPeter MaurerMr.
presidium
The International Committee of the Red Cross has a President and a Vice President.The President is mainly responsible for the organization's external relations, represents the International Committee of the Red Cross in the international community, and is responsible for the humanitarian and diplomatic affairs of the International Committee of the Red Cross in close cooperation with the Director General of the Steering Committee.Within the organization, he is responsible for strengthening organizational cohesion, ensuring smooth operation and promoting development.
Staff Group
In 1914, the International Committee of the Red Cross had only 12 employees, compared with 1900 employees and 1800 volunteers during the Second World War.The average number of front-line employees reached 500 in the 1980s and more than 1000 in the 1990s.
Since the 1970s, 15% of employees have lost their jobs every year, and 75% of employees left their jobs after less than three years of work.The staff of the International Committee of the Red Cross come from many countries. In 2004, on average, there were about 50% non Swiss employees.
steering committee
The Steering Committee is the administrative body of the International Committee of the Red Cross, which is responsible for implementing and ensuring that the General Assembly or the General AssemblycouncilThe overall objectives and organizational strategy formulated.The Steering Committee is also responsible for ensuring the proper functioning of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the overall efficiency of its staff.[9]
Ke Qiuming（Pierre Krähenbühl）, Director General[9]
Martin Sch ü epp, Director of Operation Department
Olivier Ray）Director of the Mobilization, Movement and Partnership Department of the International Committee of the Red Cross
Claire Hoang Sperandio, Director of the Ministry of Human Resources and Culture
Nils MelzerDirector of the Ministry of International Law, Policy and Humanitarian Affairs
Sarah Epprecht NoetzliDirector of Protection and Basic Services Department
Val é rie Abrell Duong, Director of Support and Digital Transformation Department[18]
Marc Rivers, Chief Financial Officer
an assembly
The General Assembly is the highest authority of the International Committee of the Red Cross, which supervises all activities of the International Committee of the Red Cross.The General Assembly formulates policies, overall objectives and organizational strategies, and approves budgets and final accounts.The General Assembly nominated department heads and heads of internal audit.The conference is composed of 15 to 25 Swiss members elected by the original members, which is an association.The President and Vice President of the General Assembly are also the President and Vice President of the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Disseminate international humanitarian law, provide medical services and relief for victims in wartime, carry out international search work to help reunite separated relatives, visit prisoners of war and detained civilians, and assist in prisoner exchange.
Publishing activities
Annual Report;
International Review of Red Cross, quarterly, English and French.[2]
Human Resources Department
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More than 1400 people, including professionals and representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross, have participated in the Agency's field work around the world.Their work was supported and coordinated by about 11000 local employees and about 800 Geneva based employees.
Since the priorities of events are changing rapidly, all the staff of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) should be flexible and ready to work in a strange environment in a country where a war has occurred or has just ended.
ICRC staff must be prepared to accept unaccompanied assignments during the first 24 months of employment.
The International Committee of the Red Cross seeks mature, motivated and team spirit people who have the ability to interact with people of different backgrounds and cultures and to confront pressure and difficulties.
171 national Red Cross Societies have participated in the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), a movement aimed at promoting humanitarianism, maintaining world peace, and developing the cause of progress.
Funds and awards
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The International Committee of the Red Cross administers many funds.For example, the Paul Reuters Foundation issues it every two years to encourage the publication of books related to international humanitarian law.The Maurice de Mardel Foundation of France provides assistance to Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement staff or their families who are in trouble due to accidents, illness or death.Zhaoxian Queen FundIs to promote "peace time rescue"[19]Aid work ", andFlorence Nightingale MedalIt is awarded to those who "performed well in times of peace or war".
The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is committed to preventing and alleviating human suffering in emergency situations such as armed conflicts, epidemics, floods and earthquakes.
Finance and Budget
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The funding sources of the International Committee of the Red Cross include the national Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies of the States parties (governments) to the Geneva Conventions;supranational organization(e.gEuropean Commission ）；And public and private donations.All contributions are voluntary.
The International Committee of the Red Cross will begin to respond to the emergency needs on the ground before receiving funds, and rely on the goodwill of donors to obtain funds as soon as possible.
At the end of each year, the International Committee of the Red Cross puts forward two budget appeals, headquarters and field, to maintain the activities of the coming year.Information on activities, as well as statistics and financial tables (based on the original budget appeal), are summarized in the annual report.
Important events
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On October 2, 2014, a shell landed at the International Committee of the Red CrossUkraineNear the representative office, Laurent Dipakier, a Swiss staff member of the office, died,security councilWe strongly condemn this and express our deep sympathy and heartfelt condolences to Dipakier's family, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Swiss government.The Council also stressed the need for an objective and thorough investigation of this tragic event.
On May 13, 2013, PresidentXi JinpingMeet with the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross Morrell at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.Xi Jinping spoke highly of the great work done by the International Committee of the Red Cross in international humanitarian affairs since its establishment 150 years ago, and highly stressed that China attaches great importance to and supports the cause of the Red Cross.Morrell thanked China for its support to the International Committee of the Red Cross and said that China has important international influence and has made important contributions to the cause of the International Red Cross.
April 13, 2019, according toAfghanistanMedia reports, due toTalibanThe International Committee of the Red Cross has stopped its activities in Afghanistan.[10]
Reported on November 26, 2021, on November 25 local time, headquartered in SwitzerlandGenevaThe International Committee of the Red Cross announced that,Miriana Spoliaritz EgerShe will serve as the new President of the International Committee of the Red Cross from October 1, 2022. The term of office is four years and she can be re elected. She is also the first female President of the organization since its establishment nearly 160 years ago.Peter MaurerHe will step down in September 2022 after 10 years of service.
On January 27, 2023, President of the Red Cross Society of ChinaChen ZhuLed the delegation of the Red Cross Society of China to visit the headquarters of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Geneva.Vice President of the International Committee of the Red CrossJile KarbonierOn behalf of President Miriana Spoliaritz, he signed a memorandum of cooperation for 2023-2027 with Chen Zhu, President of the Red Cross Society of China.[16]
On March 4, 2023 local time, two staff members of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)MaliNorthern CitiesGaoandKidalWas kidnapped between.[15]
On December 15, 2023 local time, the International Committee of the Red Cross has suspendedSudancapitalKhartoum The evacuation of civilians from Khartoum and the assistance to the two parties to the conflict in Sudan in the release of detained persons until the two parties to the conflict ensure the safety of ICRC personnel.[17]
On June 21, 2024 local time, the International Committee of the Red Cross issued a statement stating that several shells fell within a few meters of the organization's office in the Gaza Strip, causing damage to the "structure" of the office building.
Social evaluation
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The Red Cross is not only a spirit, but also a flag. It transcends national boundaries, races and beliefs and leads humanitarian activities around the world.Humanitarian cause is the common cause of all mankind. I believe that the spirit of the Red Cross will continue to be carried forward.(commented by Xi Jinping)[11]
Honors won
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In December 2018,World Brand LabThe 2018 World Top 500 Brands compiled by the International Committee of the Red Cross was announced, ranking 155.[12]
Relations with China
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From September 1-4, 2015, Chairman of the International Committee of the Red CrossMorelHe came to China to attend the commemorations of the 70th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti Fascist War.During this period, Vice President of China and Honorary President of the Red Cross Society of ChinaLi YuanchaoVice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, President of the Red Cross Society of ChinaChen Zhu, Minister of JusticeWu AiyingCai Mingzhao, the president of Xinhua News Agency, met with him respectively. Morrell also attended the forum of "Humanitarian Action Challenges in the Contemporary International Security Environment" hosted by the China Academy of Modern International Relations, and signed a memorandum of strategic cooperation with Xinhua News Agency.
On October 21-23, 2015, the Emergency Management Training Center of the National School of Administration of China, the Randy International Think Tank Project of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross and others jointly hosted an international seminar on "Jointly Responding to the Challenges Faced by Humanitarian Assistance" in Beijing.Vice Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National People's Congress, Chairman of the Expert Committee of the Randy International Think Tank Project of the Chinese Academy of Social SciencesZhao BaigeAttend and deliver a speech.
On December 8-10, 2015, the 32nd International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent was held in Geneva.Vice President of China, Honorary President of the Red Cross Society of ChinaLi YuanchaoMake a video address.Chen Zhu, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, President of the Red Cross Society of China, and Permanent Representative in GenevaWu HailongThe ambassador led the delegation of the Red Cross Society of China and the delegation of the Chinese government to attend the meeting and make speeches.Morrell, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, and Zhong Hui Jin, President of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies attended and delivered speeches.
On April 11-15, 2016, the Special Envoy of the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross for China AffairsBai LiangDuring his visit to China, Chen Zhu, President of the Red Cross Society of China, Jia Yong, Vice President of the China Disabled Persons' Federation, Li Baodong, Vice Foreign Minister, Liu Zhenmin, Vice Foreign Minister, and Zhong Jianhua, Special Envoy of the Chinese Government for African Affairs, met with him.
On May 8, 2016, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the Red Cross Society of China jointly held a reception themed World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day in Beijing. Wang Ping, Vice President and Secretary General of the Red Cross Society of China, attended the reception and delivered a speech.
On March 27-29, 2017, Bai Liang, Special Envoy of the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross for China Affairs, visited China, and Chen Zhu, President of the Red Cross Society of China, met with him in Beijing.
On May 13-15, 2017, the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross Morel was invited to China to attend the "Belt and Road" International Cooperation Summit Forum, and made a speech at the parallel theme conference of "enhancing people to people connectivity".During the meeting, Li Yuanchao, Vice President of the State and Honorary President of the Red Cross Society of China, met with him.
On May 29-31, 2018, the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross Morel visited China, the Vice President of the StateWang QishanChen Zhu, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, President of the Red Cross Society of China, Zhang Jun, Assistant Foreign Minister, Vice Minister of JusticeLiu ZhiqiangHuang Ming, Deputy Director of Emergency Management Department, Director of National International Development Cooperation AgencyWang XiaotaoChairman of China Disabled Persons' FederationZhang HaidiMeet with them.
On September 2, 2019, the opening ceremony of the 11th National Congress of the Red Cross Society of China was held in Beijing.President of the International Committee of the Red CrossPeter MorelBai Liang, Special Envoy of the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross for China Affairs and Director of the East Asia Regional Representative Office, delivered a video speech.
On September 23, 2019, the International Committee of the Red Cross, together with China, Switzerland and South Africa, held a commemorative event at the United Nations Headquarters in New York to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the signing of the Geneva Convention, with the theme of "promoting multilateralism and strengthening humanitarian input. State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended and delivered a keynote speech.President Maurer of the Swiss Confederation, President Morel of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Foreign Minister Pandor of South Africa and others attended.
On February 15, 2020, State Councilor and Foreign MinisterWang YiI met with the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Maurer during the 56th Munich Security Conference.
On July 16, 2021, Vice Minister of Foreign AffairsMa ZhaoxuMeeting with Ke Qiuming, Special Envoy of the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross for China Affairs and the new director of the East Asia Regional Representative Office.[13]
From September 4 to 7, 2023, the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Mr. Spoliaritz, will visit China.President Xi Jinping met with Sri Lanka.In addition, Luo Zhaohui, Director of the National Agency for International Development Cooperation, and Chen Zhu, President of the Red Cross Society of China met with them.He also attended the 49th Nightingale Award Ceremony, the "Challenges Facing Contemporary Humanitarian Action" round table forum, the opening ceremony of the "160 Year Humanitarian Journey" photo exhibition, and visited the International Academy of the Red Cross.
