Transcript War and the Red Cross - University of Iceland

Assistance in Times of War
Neutral, Impartial and
Independent humanitarian action
Winning hearts and minds
Cross purposes
• Purpose of war: “Der Krieg ist eine bloße
Fortsetzung der Politik mit anderen Mitteln”
(politics by other means)-Carl von Clausewits
• Purpose of humanitarian action: “to prevent
and alleviate human suffering” – Red Cross
fundamental principles
• So, when the military provides aid, what is the
purpose?
• Does it matter?
The force multipliers
• Colin Powell: “And I want
you to know that I have
made it clear to my staff here
and to all of our
ambassadors around the
world that I am serious about
making sure we have the
best relationship with the
NGOs who are such a force
multiplier for us, such an
important part of our combat
team.”
Aid integral to fighting wars
Neutral and independent aid
• The Red Cross, born of a
desire to bring assistance
without discrimination to the
wounded on the battlefield,
endeavours – in its
international and national
capacity – to prevent and
alleviate human suffering
wherever it may be found. Its
purpose is to protect life and
health and to ensure respect
for the human being. It
promotes mutual
understanding, friendship,
co-operation and lasting
peace amongst all peoples.
Red Cross/Red Crescent
principles
• Impartiality
– giving priority to the most urgent
cases of distress
• Neutrality
– may not take sides in hostilities
• Independence
– must maintain their autonomy
Code of Conduct
• 1.The Humanitarian imperative comes first.
• 2.Aid is given regardless of the race, creed or
nationality of the recipients and without
adverse distinction of any kind. Aid priorities
are calculated on the basis of need alone.
• 3.Aid will not be used to further a particular
political or religious standpoint.
• 4.We shall endeavour not to act as
Code of Conduct
• 5.We shall respect culture and custom.
• 6.We shall attempt to build disaster response on local
capacities.
• 7.Ways shall be found to involve programme beneficiaries in
the management of relief aid.
• 8.Relief aid must strive to reduce future vulnerabilities to
disaster as well as meeting basic needs.
• 9.We hold ourselves accountable to both those we seek to
assist and those from whom we accept resources.
• 10.In our information, publicity and advertising activities, we
shall recognise disaster victims as dignified human beings, not
hopeless objects
.
International Humanitarian Law
International Public Law
Humanitarian Law
Human Rights Law
-Right to life and dignity
-Ban on torture and ill
treatment
-Ban on slavery
-Ban on retroactive
legislation
The Laws of Armed Conflict
Laws on
initiating war
(jus ad bellum)
Laws on the
waging of war
(jus in bello or
International
Humanitarian Law)
Conflict
International Humanitarian Law:
Finding a balance
The coordinated approach
Politicising aid
• “Humanitarian soldiers”:Military
engages in humanitarian activity
• Aid workers as government agents:
Humanitarian agencies fulfill military or
political goals
• Humanitarian placebo – aid supported
in lieu of political or military engagement
Sarah Kenyon Lischer
Global Governance 2007
Trend since 1990s
• Kevin Henry, dir. of advocacy for CARE:
Increasing trend “use and co-opt
humanitarian assistance as an integral
part of warfighting.”
• ICRC: “Narrowing humanitarian space.”
• Overseas Development Institute:
Military “devouring” humanitarian space
Danger of “coordinated
approach”
• Aid not distributed according to need
but according to political considerations
• Marginalises needs-based humanitarian
action
• Reduces trust in the idea of
humanitarian action as a fundamental
principle of International Humanitarian
Law
Capability vs. Credibility
• Military has enormous logistical capability –
but are they ready to use it without reference
to political ends?
• Humanitarian agencies have credibility if they
emphasise neutrality and independence – but
often lack capability to tackle large scale
emergencies
• In large-scale, complex emergencies both are
often needed; capability and credibility
Assistance in Times of War
Neutral, Impartial and
Independent humanitarian action