Fundamental principles. History of the International Red Cross

St. Petersburg State University

Faculty of Medicine

Abstract for the course "History of Medicine" on the topic:

"Russian Red Cross"

1st year student 103 gr. R. A. Tikhomirov

Introduction

1. History

2. History of the Russian Red Cross

3. Fundamental principles

4. Emblem

How did the red crescent appear?

Emblem as a symbol of protection

The emblem as a symbol of belonging to the movement

5. Russian Red Cross

6. St. Petersburg branch

List of used literature

Introduction

One of the world's leading organizations for helping victims of war, providing assistance to refugees and asylum seekers, assistance to the elderly and people with disabilities is the Red Cross Movement. Many have heard or know about the existence of this movement, but do not have a complete understanding of its activities. In my essay I would like to reveal the history of the origin, emblem and main provisions of the work and activities of this organization.

So, I myself have more than once taken part in various Red Cross programs and therefore this topic is quite relevant for me. For example, I participated in the 3rd Open Championship of the Russian Red Cross in First Aid in 2009.

1. History

It all started on June 24, 1859, near the Italian town of Solferino (a village in northern Italy), where French and Italian troops fought the Austrians who were then occupying the country. In this fierce battle, 40,000 casualties - killed and wounded - fell within a few hours.

Fig. 4 “Battle of Solferino”

Fig.5 Henri Dunant (1828-1910) - a great humanist and “ideologist” of the World Red Cross Movement. Author of the book "Memories of the Battle of Solferino" Winner of the first Nobel Peace Prize (1901).

Returning to Geneva, Switzerland, Henri Dunant could not erase this horrific picture from his memory. He took up the pen to tell the world about this war drama, repeated so many times. In 1862, his book “Memories of Solferino” was completed. So in his book, he called for the creation in every country of societies to help victims of war and to provide assistance to the military medical service. Thoughts about organizing international private voluntary assistance to war victims, without distinction of their ranks and nationalities, arose in Dunant under the influence of the activities of the English nurse Florence Nightingale and her compatriots, who, since November 1854, were caring for sick and wounded soldiers in the Turkish city of Skaturi, which amazed him. during the Crimean War, also N.I. Pirogov and the sisters of mercy of the Cross Movement community led by him, who began their noble activities in December 1854 at the location of Russian troops in Sevastopol. As soon as the book, printed with his own money, came out of print, Dunant sent it to the European monarchs of the time, politicians, military, philanthropists, friends. The success was immediate and exceeded all expectations. The book greatly alarmed Europe, as many were unaware of the brutal reality of the battlefields.

At that time, there was a charitable society in Geneva, whose president was the lawyer Gustav Moynier. The book “Memories of Solferino” shocked me, he wrote. Being a man of action, Moynier invited Dunant to talk about this book with other members of the Society.

During the meeting, a commission of five members was created. In addition to Henri Dunant himself and Gustav Moynier, it included General Guillaume-Henri Dufour and doctors Louis Appiah and Theodore Maunir - all Swiss citizens. The commission first met on February 17, 1863 and called itself the “International Committee for the Relief of the Wounded.”

In the following months, these five members of the Committee carried out intense activities, as a result of which an international conference was held in Geneva in October 1863. Representatives of sixteen states took part in it. For this occasion, the distinctive negative sign of the Swiss flag was chosen - a red cross on a white background.

The sign was intended to highlight, and therefore protect, those who provide assistance to wounded soldiers. This conference formed the basis for the establishment of the RED CROSS. And the committee itself was later renamed International Committee Red Cross (ICRC).

The great merit of Henri Dunant is that he did not limit himself to the individual and spontaneous humanitarian gestures of his predecessors, but put forward new, specific proposals in his book and disseminated them widely:

““Is it not possible to create in all European countries relief societies which, in time of war, would, on a voluntary basis, provide care for the wounded, regardless of nationality?”

This proposal would form the basis for the creation of national Red Cross societies and, later, Red Crescent Societies.

“…international principle, conditional and legalized, which, if agreed upon and ratified, would form the basis of societies for the relief of the wounded in different countries...”

This second sentence of Dunant marked the beginning of modern international humanitarian law, the first written and concrete embodiment of which would be the Geneva Convention of 1864.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is the institution that started To the International Movement Red Cross and Red Crescent.

Fig.6 Emblems of the Red Cross and Red Crescent.

2. History of the Russian Red Cross

1854-1914

In 1854, during the Crimean War, Grand Duchess Elena Pavlovna founded the Holy Cross community of sisters of mercy in St. Petersburg. The community's sisters of mercy provided assistance to war victims - the wounded and sick. During the heroic defense of Sevastopol (1854-1855), the outstanding Russian surgeon N.I. Pirogov was entrusted with the leadership of this community.

Many researchers believe Grand Duchess Elena Pavlovna and Pirogov, the founder of the nursing service, as well as the English subject Florence Nightingale, who in 1854 led a detachment of nurses working in an English hospital during the Crimean War, predecessors of Henri Dunant.

Russia ratified the Geneva Convention on May 10, 1867, and at the same time, on May 15, 1867, Emperor Alexander II approved the Charter of the Society for the Care of Wounded and Sick Soldiers (in 1876 it was renamed the Russian Red Cross Society). On May 18, the first meeting of the created society took place, which elected a central governing body - the Main Directorate. By this time, Russia had accumulated extensive experience in providing assistance to war victims. Russia was one of the first countries in the world where the Red Cross Society was created. Over the years, the Russian Red Cross Society became one of the most powerful in the world, not only in terms of its social influence, due to the fact that members of the imperial family were widely represented in it, but also, equally, in terms of its financial resources (the monthly budget of the ROSC reached 18 million rubles).

From the first years of its existence, ROKK developed its activities both within the country and abroad. The society's units worked on the battlefields during the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871), the war of Montenegro and Serbia with Turkey (1976), the Serbo-Bulgarian (1885), the Greek-Turkish (1897) and other wars and conflicts. The Society also provided assistance to other National Societies when their countries were at war, such as France and Prussia (1870-1871).

The Russian Red Cross Society set itself broader goals than societies in other countries. The ROKK Charter, adopted in 1893, in addition to helping the wounded on the battlefields during the war, also provided for assistance to war invalids and the population affected by natural Disasters.

1914-1918

First world war 38 states were involved, the number of active armies exceeded 29 million people, and more than 20 million people died. At this time, the ROKK prepared and sent 10 thousand nurses to the medical institutions of the military department, formed 150 food centers, more than 20 sanitary courts, equipped 360 sanitary trains, and 65 anti-epidemic detachments worked in areas where the wounded were concentrated. It worked in Petrograd Inquiry Office for prisoners of war affairs. During the First World War, chemical weapons were used for the first time on the battlefields of Europe - asphyxiating gases brought severe suffering to soldiers. ROKK not only organized enterprises in Moscow and Petrograd for the production of special protective bandages, but also ensured their delivery to the front.

took place in Moscow general meeting members of the Russian Red Cross Society, where the Charter was adopted and the Central Committee was elected. The humane traditions and valuable experience of the ROKK were adopted by the Soviet Red Cross and were widely developed in its activities.

The October Revolution and the civil war that followed brought severe trials to the people of Russia. During this period, the main focus of the activities of the Soviet Red Cross was assistance in the fight against epidemic diseases and hunger. 439 sanitary institutions were formed and sent to the fronts, including sanitary-epidemiological detachments, food centers, and hospitals.

Council Resolution People's Commissars The RSFSR, signed by V.I. Lenin on May 30, 1918, brought to the attention of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the governments of all states that recognized the Geneva Convention that “this convention, both in its original and in all later editions, as well as all other international conventions and the agreements relating to the Red Cross recognized by Russia before October 1917 are recognized and will be respected by the Soviet Government, which retains all rights and prerogatives based on these conventions and agreements."

1921-1930

The humane attitude of the Soviet Red Cross towards prisoners of war and refugees and its activities to alleviate the suffering of the population received recognition from the international community and on October 15, 1921, the International Red Cross officially recognized the Soviet Red Cross.

In 1921, a severe drought affected the regions of the Volga region, the Urals, Siberia, and southern Ukraine. The activities of the Red Cross Society during this period developed in two directions: medical and food assistance to the population and work to collect donations within the country and abroad. During this period, 17 medical and food teams were created, equipped and sent to disaster areas using the funds raised. When a wave of epidemic diseases began, the Soviet Red Cross formed and sent three specialized sanitary-epidemic teams to disaster areas, which not only cleaned and examined the area, but also built baths and disinfected premises.

The Soviet Red Cross carried on intensive negotiations with Mr. F. Nansen, the ICRC and other humanitarian organizations and called for assistance to the starving people of Russia. In the same year, the Red Cross Societies of Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Czechoslovakia, the USA and other countries responded to this call. As a result, the Nansen Committee ensured that 5 million poods of food were sent to Russia.

Everyone's help foreign countries for the period from 1921 to 1922 amounted to more than 512 million tons of food, which made it possible to provide food for about 11 million hungry people.

In 1923, representatives of the Red Cross Societies of the RSFSR, Ukraine, Belarus, Armenia, Georgia and the Azerbaijan Red Crescent concluded an agreement on the formation of the Union of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (SOKK and CP USSR).

During this period, through the efforts of SOKK and KP activists, medical and obstetric centers were opened, primarily in remote and backward areas of the Far North, Siberia and Central Asia.

During the same period, the Soviet Red Cross, at its own expense, organized a health service young pioneers, a network of children's preventive outpatient clinics, camps, sanatoriums, playgrounds, and nurseries has been created. In 1925, the Artek pioneer camp was opened with funds from the Central Committee of the OKC of the RSFSR. SOKK and Communist Party of the USSR initiated the creation of air ambulance, which contributed to the timely treatment of thousands of patients.

In the pre-war 30s, the SOKK and Communist Party of the USSR organized mass training of the population in first aid techniques, caring for the sick at home, sanitary posts and squads were formed. In 1926-1927 for support state system health care, local organizations SOKK and KP created courses for nurses.

1934-1945

In a climate of international tension, the Soviet Red Cross began mass preparation of the population for the sanitary defense of the country. In 1934, training began for the adult population under the “Ready for Sanitary Defense” (GSO) program and for schoolchildren “Be Prepared for Sanitary Defense.”

In 1934, the ROKK, as part of the SOKK and KP, was admitted to the International League of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

The activities of SOKK and KP in the field of mass medical and sanitary training of the population and treatment and preventive work have made a significant contribution to the preparedness of the population for severe trials that befell the Soviet people during the Great Patriotic War.

During the war years, assistance to the sick and wounded reached an unprecedented scale. Organizations of the Soviet Red Cross trained 23 million people under the GSO program.

Helping the wounded on the battlefields, working in hospitals, loading and unloading ambulances, organizing donations and more - this is the scope and nature of the work carried out by activists of the SOKK and KP societies to help the military sanitary service of the Red Army and civilian health authorities.

A nurse is a girl in a soldier’s overcoat who took up the baton of sisters of mercy during the Crimean War, World War I, Civil and other wars. For their dedicated work, the International Committee of the Red Cross awarded 46 Soviet women the Florence Nightingale medal.

During the Great Patriotic War, the Soviet Red Cross actively participated in organizing the donor movement. 5.5 million people were involved in this movement, among them 90% were women, and over two million liters of donor blood were sent to the front. In 1944, the Executive Committee of the SOKK and KP formed 30 sanitary-epidemiological detachments that operated in the liberated regions of Ukraine, Belarus, and Moldova.

Great Patriotic War- one of the most striking pages in the history of the Soviet Red Cross, which contributed to the common cause of victory over German Nazism.

1945-1963

In the post-war period, the Soviet Red Cross, true to its duty, came to the aid of the peoples of foreign countries in eliminating dangerous infectious diseases, organization of medical institutions and development of national health care. Our doctors worked in Poland, China, and North Korea to eliminate epidemics of plague, typhoid, and smallpox. Soviet Red Cross hospitals were opened in Iran, Ethiopia, North Korea, in which our specialists provided medical care to the local population.

As a token of gratitude for their great contribution to the cause of peace and humanitarianism, the International Red Cross, in February 1963, on the occasion of the centenary of its founding, along with other societies, awarded the SOKK and KP the Vermeil medal. The medal is made of gold and silver, on the front side there is an image of a volunteer orderly, as a symbol of the origin of the Red Cross movement. The inscription on the medal is “International Red Cross, Geneva” and in Latin “Charity on the battlefield”.

1970-1980

Following the principles of humanism and mercy, the Soviet Red Cross provided free assistance to the peoples of foreign countries in the fight against epidemics, diseases, hunger, and the consequences of natural disasters and armed conflicts. For the period from 1981 to 1986 SOKK and KP provided various help 71 countries of the world.

Droughts, cyclones, earthquakes, floods, typhoons caused huge damage to the population of countries such as Niger, Sudan, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Laos, Bolivia, Peru, Mexico, Colombia and others. Emergency aid was sent to these countries - tents, blankets, stretchers, medicines, medical instruments, dressings, food.

In 1987, India experienced severe food shortages due to crop failure. Famine began in the country, and epidemics of infectious diseases broke out. Aid to the population of India from the Soviet Red Cross became one of the largest humanitarian actions of the 80s.

To assist in the prevention of infectious diseases, the Soviet Red Cross sent large quantities of vaccines against polio, smallpox and cholera to backward third world countries free of charge. Mobile medical units of the Soviet Red Cross successfully worked in Peru, Jordan, Bangladesh, Algeria, Somalia, and Ethiopia. Under the auspices of the International Committee of the Red Cross in 1980-1981, two medical units of the SOKK and KP worked in Cambodia.

1990

In the 90s, the Russian Red Cross Society faced new challenges to solve problems that had not previously occurred in our country. Rapid socio-economic and political transformations led to the appearance on the map former USSR new independent states.

Interethnic and civil conflicts broke out, which led to the emergence of hundreds of thousands of refugees and millions of internally displaced persons. The socio-economic crisis has left below the poverty line not only such vulnerable categories as pensioners, large families, disabled people, children from disadvantaged families, but also a large number of the working population.

On July 20, 1996, the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation “On state support of the Russian Red Cross Society” was issued, and on December 27 of the same year a Resolution was adopted State Duma RF “On state support of the Russian Red Cross Society”.

3. Fundamental principles

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, born of the desire to provide assistance to all wounded on the battlefield without exception or preference, strives in all circumstances, both internationally and nationally, to prevent or alleviate human suffering. The movement is designed to protect the life and health of people and ensure respect for the human person. It contributes to the achievement of mutual understanding, friendship, cooperation and lasting peace between peoples.

IMPARTIALITY

The movement makes no distinction based on race, religion, class or political opinion. It only seeks to alleviate the suffering of people, and first of all those who need it most.

NEUTRALITY

INDEPENDENCE

Movement is independent. National Societies, while assisting their governments in their humanitarian activities and subject to the laws of their country, must nevertheless always maintain autonomy in order to be able to act in accordance with the principles of the Red Cross.

VOLUNTARY

In its voluntary assistance activities, the Movement is in no way guided by a desire for profit.

UNITY

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

VERSATILITY

The movement is worldwide. All National Societies use equal rights and are obliged to help each other.

The Fundamental Principles were proclaimed at the 20th International Conference of the Red Cross in Vienna in 1965. This revised text forms part of the Statutes of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, adopted at the XXV International Conference of the Red Cross, held in Geneva in 1986.

4. Emblem

The red cross and red crescent are one of the most recognizable symbols all over the world. Originally created to represent the sanitation services of the armed forces and provide protection for the sick and wounded, they have evolved over time into symbols of impartial care provided to all who suffer. However, the fact that a person, organization or company is involved or wishes to participate in relief work does not in itself give them the right to use those symbols in carrying out their activities.

The use of these emblems and the name "Red Cross" is governed by the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their Additional Protocols of 1977, as well as the national legislation of each state.

THE RED CROSS AND RED CRESCENT EMBLEM DOES NOT CARRY ANY RELIGIOUS OR POLITICAL MEANING, ARE NOT SYMBOLS OF MEDICINE AND ARE EQUAL IN USE.

Any use of the red cross (red crescent) emblem not authorized by the Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocols and by unauthorized institutions (commercial firms, non-governmental organizations, pharmacies, individuals, private practitioners, hospitals, clinics and ambulances) is misuse (abuse) .

Clause 2.1, Article 2 of the Charter of the Russian Red Cross (RRC): “The Russian Red Cross - the only organization on the territory of the Russian Federation, which has the right to use the phrase “Red Cross” and the Red Cross emblem in its name.” Clause 2.2, Article 2: “The emblem of the RKK is a heraldic image on a white background of a red cross made of two straight lines of equal length and width, intersecting in the center at a right angle and not reaching the edge of the background. Clause 2.5, Article 2: “The RRC, in accordance with the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and the Additional Protocols thereto of 1977, the Rules for the use of the Emblem of 1991, establishes rules for the use of the Red Cross emblem on the territory of the Russian Federation.”

HISTORY OF ORIGIN

In 1859, Henri Dunant witnessed the Battle of Solferino, after which thousands of wounded soldiers were left without any help on the battlefield. The bodies of the dead were at the mercy of predators and looters. The army sanitation services failed to cope with their responsibilities, and one of the reasons for this was that they did not have any single distinctive emblem that could be easily identified by each side of the conflict.

An international conference was held in Geneva in 1863, which tried to find a solution to the problem low efficiency the work of army sanitary services on the battlefield. The conference participants approved the emblem: a red cross on a white background, as the distinctive sign of societies providing assistance to wounded military personnel - the future national societies of the Red Cross and Red Crescent.

In 1864, the first of the Geneva Conventions was adopted and the red cross was recognized by the Diplomatic Conference as the distinctive sign of the medical services of the armed forces.

“Out of respect for Switzerland, the heraldic sign of a red cross on a white field, formed by reversing the federal colors...” This explanation, given in Article 38 of the 1949 Geneva Convention I, comes much later, and there is no certainty as to why a red cross on a white background was chosen as the emblem.

How did the red crescent appear?

During the Russo-Turkish War in the Balkans in 1876, the Ottoman Empire chose to use a red crescent on a white background instead of a red cross. It was followed by other countries where most of population professes Islam. At the Diplomatic Conference in 1929, a red crescent on a white background was recognized as the distinctive sign of medical institutions and units.

Subsequently, Article 38 of the 1949 Geneva Convention I recognized the emblems of the red cross and red crescent on a white background as protective insignia of military medical services. This excluded the possibility of using any other signs other than the indicated emblems.

In 1982, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies adopted the red cross and red crescent on a white background as its emblem.

Emblem as a symbol of protection

During times of conflict, the emblem serves as a visible sign of the protection provided in accordance with the provisions of the Geneva Conventions. Its purpose is to show the armed forces that the following are protected by the Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocols:

persons (volunteers from national societies, medical personnel, delegates of the International Committee of the Red Cross, etc.)

medical formations (hospitals, first aid stations, mobile hospitals, etc.), as well as

vehicles (land, sea and air).

It is necessary that the emblem used as a protective sign commands respect and encourages armed forces to restraint in actions. Therefore it must be large.

The emblem as a symbol of belonging to the movement

The use of the emblem as a distinctive sign is intended to show, mainly, Peaceful time, that the persons and objects it designates are related to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (also known as the International Red Cross), i.e. to the following organizations:

national societies (such as the Russian Red Cross),

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies or

International Committee of the Red Cross.

In this case, the emblem should be smaller. In addition, the emblem is intended to remind that these organizations are guided in their work by the Fundamental Principles of the Movement.

5. Russian Red Cross

The Russian Red Cross Society was founded on May 15, 1867 and was recognized by the International Committee of the Red Cross on October 5, 1921.

Since May 1923, the Red Cross Society of the RSFSR was part of the Union of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (SOKK and KP). In 1934, the ROKK, as part of the SOKK and KP, was admitted to the International League of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (now the International Federation).

The new Charter of the Russian Red Cross was approved at the XI Congress of the Red Cross Society of the RSFSR on May 30, 1991, and in new editions of the XII (1996) and XIII (2001) congresses of the All-Russian public organization "Russian Red Cross".

The Russian Red Cross (RRC) has 97 regional branches in all constituent entities of the Russian Federation, 1548 district branches. The organization has more than 3,000 full-time employees (including 2,178 sisters of mercy) and about 1.5 million members, who are united in 13,355 primary Red Cross organizations.

Supreme governing body RKK is the Congress. During the period between congresses, the activities of the RKK are managed by the RKK Board. The RKK Congress is convened by the RKK Board once every 5 years. The Chairman of the RKK Board is at the same time the Chairman of the RKK Presidium - a permanent governing collegial body.

The main goals of the Russian Red Cross:

Providing emergency humanitarian assistance to victims of natural disasters, accidents and catastrophes, in armed conflicts

Providing medical social assistance representatives of vulnerable groups of the population

Propaganda of the ideas of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and the foundations of international humanitarian law.

Activities of the Russian Red Cross today:

Mercy nursing service, which provides medical and social services at home to lonely elderly and disabled people

Providing humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable segments of the population

Assistance programs for populations affected by emergency situations

Operational rescue teams

Preparation of sanitary squads and sanitary posts

Fighting particularly dangerous diseases

Training the population in First Aid techniques and rules of patient care

Free canteens for homeless people, refugees and forced migrants

Children's orphanages

Free health and social assistance centers for the needy population of Russia.

Since 1991, the RKK has launched activities to provide assistance to vulnerable and unprotected segments of the Russian population. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross and national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies actively joined in helping the RKK.

RKK has established partnerships with international and non-governmental organizations: the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the US Agency for Refugees international development(USAID), Doctors Without Borders (Medecins Sans Frontieres), World Health Organization (WHO).

Over the past four years, more than 50 joint federal humanitarian programs have successfully operated in 62 regions of Russia. As a result, more than 10 million of our compatriots (forced migrants, single elderly people, people with disabilities, children from large and single-parent families, orphans, the homeless, the unemployed) were fed, clothed, shod, received medical care, free legal advice, psychological support.

Due to the scale of its work, global network regional offices, extensive international relations and recognition of the population, currently the Russian Red Cross is the leading non-governmental organization engaged in humanitarian activities on the territory of the Russian Federation.

6. St. Petersburg branch

The Red Cross movement in Russia originated in St. Petersburg in 1867; it embodied the high ideals of humanism accumulated by humanity.

The St. Petersburg (regional) branch of the Russian Red Cross (St. Petersburg Red Cross) is structural unit All-Russian public organization "Russian Red Cross".

The St. Petersburg branch includes 8 district (local) branches and 4 branches, organized on a territorial basis. The organization has more than 100 employees and about 40,000 thousand members, who are united in 315 primary Red Cross organizations.

The highest governing body of the St. Petersburg branch is the Conference, convened by the Board once every 5 years. During the period between conferences, the management of the St. Petersburg branch is carried out by the Board of the regional branch. The Chairman of the Board is at the same time the Chairman of the Presidium - a permanent governing collegial body.

The main goals of the St. Petersburg Red Cross:

Providing effective and high-quality assistance to vulnerable segments of the population of St. Petersburg, and those affected by armed conflicts and other emergency situations

Promoting respect for the human person

Propaganda of the ideas of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and the foundations of international humanitarian law

Since the early 90s of the last century, the St. Petersburg branch has been implementing comprehensive programs to provide assistance to vulnerable and unprotected segments of the population of St. Petersburg. The activities of the organization are supported by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross and national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies, as well as international and non-governmental organizations: the European Commission, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Partners of the St. Petersburg branch of the Russian Red Cross Day care center for children

History of medicine: Textbook for students. higher honey. textbook establishments/ T.A. Sorokina. –3rd ed., revised. and additional –M.: Publishing Center “Academy”, 2004.-560 p.

Send your good work in the knowledge base is simple. Use the form below

Students, graduate students, young scientists who use the knowledge base in their studies and work will be very grateful to you.

Posted on http://www.allbest.ru/

Introduction

1. History of the International Red Cross

2. Fundamental principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement

3. Red Cross emblems

4. Red Cross organizations

5. Red Cross Centers

6. The role of the International Red Cross in the formation of humanitarian norms in international conflicts

7. History of the Red Cross in Russia

Conclusion

Bibliography

Introduction

Currently, there are many military conflicts, in addition, in Russia there are a lot of seriously ill elderly people who cannot go to the store or pharmacy on their own, and there are also many people in need of humanitarian assistance - the International Red Cross helps with this and much more.

The Red Cross is an international organization with branches in many countries whose main goal is to prevent and alleviate human suffering. The impetus for the creation of such an organization was the impressions of the young Swiss Henri Dunant, who was among the neutral eyewitnesses of the Battle of Solferino in Italy on June 24, 1859. By the end of the day, approximately 40,000 dead and wounded remained on the battlefield. Horrified by the suffering of people to which no one paid attention, Dunant organized a help group consisting of volunteers. They purchased everything they needed, housed the wounded and cared for them. Three years later, Dunant published a short pamphlet describing the consequences of the battle, where he outlined ways to help people who found themselves in a similar situation. He proposed creating volunteer units in each country to provide assistance to victims of war and peacetime disasters. Dunant believed that the service for helping the sick and wounded should be neutral, and proposed taking the first steps towards its creation in peacetime. As a result, in 1864 (from August 8 to 22) a conference was held in Geneva with the participation of official representatives 16 European countries where the Geneva Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of Sick and Wounded Combatant Armies on the Battlefield was adopted. This convention, signed by delegations from 12 countries, provided for the neutrality of armed forces medical personnel and civilians assisting them, humane treatment of the wounded, and also approved the international emblem of medical personnel. In honor of Dunant's homeland - Switzerland - a red cross on a white field was chosen as a symbol (the Swiss flag, where red and white colors swapped places).

The original Geneva Convention was revised and amended several times. Victims of military operations at sea (1907) and prisoners of war (1929) were taken under the protection of the Red Cross. The Geneva Convention for the Relief of Prisoners of War gave the Red Cross the right to monitor the conditions of their detention. Later, in 1949, its coverage was extended to civilians during the war.

The parties to the ICC are:

National Red Cross or Red Crescent Societies active in more than 170 countries. In total, they unite 128 million members.

The International Committee of the Red Cross, which provides assistance and protection to victims of war and conflict and monitors the implementation of the Geneva Conventions.

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, which provides assistance in the event of disasters in peacetime and leads cooperation with developing countries. It is also the central body of national societies. The Committee and the Federation have observer status at the UN.

The organization's emblems are a red cross and, in Islamic countries, a red crescent on a white background. They also serve as international security signs. Objects marked by them cannot be attacked. The interstate Geneva Conventions (1949) were concluded on the initiative of the Red Cross. Their task is to protect the victims of wars: wounded soldiers, prisoners of war, civilians. The organization promotes these conventions, monitors their implementation and strives to further improve them.

The main goal of the Red Cross is lasting peace. "Peace is not only the absence of war, but cooperation between states and peoples, based on respect for freedom, independence, equality and human rights and the fair distribution of resources."

1. History of the emergence of International KRed Cross

The history of the International Red Cross began on June 24, 1859 in Solferino, a village in northern Italy, where French and Italian troops fought the then occupying Austrians. In this fierce battle, 40,000 casualties - killed and wounded - fell within a few hours.

The sanitary services of the warring parties were clearly powerless to help in the current situation. The sight of the severe suffering of the wounded horrified the Swiss Henri Dunant, who came to those places on business. Having appealed to the residents of neighboring villages, he began to provide assistance to all wounded soldiers, regardless of nationality. Returning to Switzerland, Henri Dunant could not erase this horrifying picture from his memory. He took up his pen to tell the world about this drama of war, repeated so many times. In 1862, his book “Memories of Solferino” was completed. As soon as the book, printed with his own money, came out of print, Dunant sent it to European monarchs of the time, politicians, military men, philanthropists, and friends. The success was immediate and exceeded all expectations. The book greatly alarmed Europe, as many were unaware of the brutal reality of the battlefields.

At that time, there was a Charitable Society in Geneva, whose president was the lawyer Gustav Moynier. “The book Memoirs of Solferino shocked me,” he wrote. Being a man of action, Moynier invited Dunant to talk about this book with other members of the Society.

During the meeting, a commission of five members was created. In addition to Henri Dunant himself and Gustav Moynier, it included General Guillaume-Henri Dufour and doctors Louis Appiah and Theodore Maunir - all Swiss citizens. The commission met for the first time on February 17, 1863 and called itself the "International Committee for the Relief of the Wounded."

In the following months, these five members of the Committee carried out intense activity, as a result of which an international conference was held in Geneva in October 1863, in which representatives of sixteen states took part. For this occasion, a distinctive sign was chosen - a red cross on a white background.

The sign was intended to highlight, and therefore protect, those who provide assistance to wounded soldiers. This conference formed the basis for the establishment of the Red Cross. As for the Committee, it will subsequently be renamed the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

The great merit of Henri Dunant is that he did not limit himself to the individual and spontaneous humanitarian gestures of his predecessors, but put forward new and specific proposals in his book and disseminated them widely:

“Is it not possible to create relief societies in all European countries which, in wartime, on a voluntary basis, would provide care for the wounded, regardless of nationality?”

This proposal would form the basis for the creation of national Red Cross societies and, later, Red Crescent Societies.

In addition to protecting the wounded, according to Henry Dunant, it was necessary to provide the status of neutrality in the battle area to those caring for them. Therefore, he proposed to formulate: “...an international principle, conditional and legalized, which, if agreed upon and ratified, would be the basis of societies for the relief of the wounded in different countries...”

This second sentence of Dunant marked the beginning of modern humanitarian international law, the first written and concrete embodiment of which would be the Geneva Convention of 1864.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is the founding agency of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which consists of: the ICRC, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and national Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

Representatives of these three components of the movement, together with representatives of the states party to the Geneva Conventions, meet every four years at the International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent. The main role of this conference, as the highest advisory body of the Movement, is to study problems of a general nature, adopt resolutions, and distribute mandates.

2. Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement

Humanity. The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, born of the desire to provide assistance to all wounded on the battlefield without exception or preference, strives in all circumstances, both internationally and nationally, to prevent and alleviate human suffering. The movement is designed to protect the life and health of people and ensure respect for the human person. It contributes to the achievement of mutual understanding, friendship, cooperation and lasting peace between peoples.

Impartiality. The movement does not discriminate on the basis of nationality, race, religion, class or political opinion. It only strives to alleviate the suffering of people, and first of all, those who need it most.

Independence. Movement is independent. National Societies, while assisting their governments in their humanitarian activities and subject to the laws of their country, must nevertheless always maintain autonomy in order to be able to act in accordance with the principles of the Red Cross.

Voluntariness. In its voluntary assistance activities, the Movement is in no way guided by a desire for profit.

Unity. There can only be one National Red Cross or Red Crescent Society per country. It must be open to everyone and carry out its humanitarian activities throughout the country.

Versatility. The movement is worldwide. All National Societies enjoy equal rights and are obliged to assist each other.

3. Red Cross emblems

The four parts of the Geneva Red Cross symbolized the four virtues: moderation, prudence, justice and courage. The sign was created by reversing the colors of the Swiss national flag at the suggestion of General Dufour, since Swiss citizens Henri Dunant and Gustav Moynier were the initiators of the 1863 conference, after which the International Committee of the Red Cross was formed. The logo image was approved by the conference participants due to its simplicity and ease of recognition. Later in 1876, Turkey announced that it would use the red crescent as its emblem. red cross humanitarian conflict

The Red Cross emblem is the key to all humanitarian activities - the emblem is designed to protect both the victims and the people who came to their aid. In countries with a predominantly Muslim population, traditionally, the red crescent is used instead of the red cross emblem, thus emblems of the Red Cross and Red Crescent do not carry any religious or political meaning, are not symbols of medicine and are equivalent in use .

4. Red K organizationsresta

International Committee of the Red Cross. A group of prominent Swiss citizens who participated in the convening of the Geneva Conference went on to form the International Committee of the Red Cross. Its functions include officially recognizing new national organizations, working to develop international humanitarian agreements (especially the Geneva Conventions) and monitoring their implementation; during wars and internal conflicts The International Committee of the Red Cross acts as a neutral intermediary to provide assistance and protection to victims of war, monitors the conditions of prisoners of war and makes recommendations for improving these conditions. The international committee, whose headquarters is in Geneva, is elected from among Swiss citizens.

The International Conference of the Red Cross was first held in Paris in 1867. The conference meets every four years and is the highest advisory body of the Red Cross. Its work involves representatives of national organizations, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the League of Red Cross Societies and delegations of countries that have signed the Geneva Conventions.

National Red Cross Societies. By 1900, Red Cross societies were organized in almost 30 countries. Extensive programs of activities in military conditions were developed. At the same time, the Red Cross also had new, peaceful tasks aimed at overcoming the consequences of natural disasters and developing healthcare. Today, these tasks are being addressed through a wide network of health, humanitarian assistance and security programs, as well as general and special educational programs. National Societies are independent voluntary organizations, although they receive their powers from their governments. These societies receive international recognition if the following conditions are met: the governments of their countries must strictly comply with the decisions of the Geneva Conventions; The activities of National Societies must be approved by their legitimate governments, and the societies themselves must comply with the statutes and be guided by the fundamental principles of the International Red Cross.

The League of Red Cross Societies is an association of national organizations created in 1919. The original purpose of the League was to develop a program of mutual assistance and development designed for peacetime. Today, the main tasks of the League (which has a permanent secretariat in Geneva) include helping the newly formed Red Cross societies, uniting the activities of its various groups, expanding the scope and resources of national organizations and coordinating their efforts in the event of international natural disasters. The League of Red Cross Societies includes 106 national organizations with total number There are more than 188 million members. The League is supported by voluntary donations from its members.

5. CentersTOredTOresta

Center mewild social assistance

There is a medical and social assistance center at the Eastern District Branch of the Russian Red Cross. The center is staffed by experienced nurses and doctors. It is equipped with modern medical equipment. Many hundreds of people receive help at the center every year.

Hospital at home

In order to alleviate the suffering of lonely, seriously ill residents of our district from the category of elderly and disabled people of groups I and II, and to protect the rights and dignity of these people, the mercy service of the Eastern District Branch of the Russian Red Cross provided medical and social assistance at home to 250 people in need in 2001.

All these people receive a minimum pension and are unable to go to the store, pharmacy, cook food, clean their home, wash, put in order their bed linen, or go to the clinic.

To alleviate the plight of lonely old people, the Red Cross, with the support of the prefecture of the Eastern Administrative District, is ready to provide them with medical and social assistance on the principle of “hospital at home.” If necessary, they should be hospitalized in the “Red Cross Chambers” opened in hospitals in our district.

Free donation

Over the long history of the development of medicine, doctors have tested many medicines and treatments to treat patients.

Among them there is one, completely unusual, living medicine - human blood.

In our country, every year about 2 million people receive the blood or its components they need to save their lives. More than 5 million people receive medications that require blood to make.

For more than half a century, the Red Cross has been an active healthcare assistant in organizing gratuitous blood donations.

In addition, his main tasks are to conduct agitation and propaganda among the population and to guard the rights of donors. In 1993, the president issued the law “On the Donation of Blood and Its Components,” in which donors who donate blood 40 times or more receive the title “Honorary Donor of the Russian Federation” and the benefits provided for by the law on “Donation of Blood and Its Components.”

In the Western District of Moscow, every year more than 10 thousand people voluntarily and free of charge perform a humane act - they donate their blood to save the lives of others.

Blood collection and transfusion systems are disposable only. The possibility of the donor becoming infected with the AIDS virus, hepatitis and other infectious diseases is completely excluded.

Center for Extreme Humanitarian Aid

The emergency humanitarian aid fund has been operating for 5 years. Here, residents in dire need can receive basic necessities: bed linen and underwear, shoes, clothing, sanitary and hygienic care items, etc. Every year, more than a thousand people end up in extreme conditions. life situations, receives the necessary help from us.

Charity pharmacy

The program is designed to provide social support to members of the district’s population who do not have benefits for the purchase of medicines, but due to circumstances at a certain period of their lives find themselves in extreme life situations. These could be pensioners who do not have disabilities, the unemployed, single mothers. A special place is occupied by gratuitous donors who work at district enterprises and systematically donate blood. Such social support will help the further development of gratuitous donation.

6 . The role of the International Red Cross in the formation of humanitarian norms in international conflicts

The ICRC is an organization that in its activities is strictly guided by the written law, and this law is called the Geneva Conventions, with all their articles and paragraphs of articles. This adherence to the letter of the law gives the ICRC's work precision and discipline, but some other humanitarian organizations (such as Doctors Without Borders) criticize the International Red Cross for being overly cautious and legalistic. Perhaps this is also due to the fact that officially its representatives distance themselves from other non-governmental organizations working in the same area, and from the UN. For example, during the war in Bosnia, they tried in every possible way to distinguish their activities from the actions of UN agencies, refusing, for example, to accompany columns of UN peacekeepers, since this could compromise their neutrality.

Nevertheless, the Red Cross, like its founder, plays a central role in campaigns to “civilize” warfare, such as the campaign to ban blinding laser weapons and land anti-personnel mines.

In addition, it is safe to say that the first to come to the zone of any conflict or disaster with an offer of help are representatives of this particular organization. Such actions implement the unspoken principle of the ICRC: “First to arrive, last to leave.” Often, Red Cross representatives remain in a conflict zone even when all other UN missions have withdrawn. This is what allows the ICRC to maintain its special position in the increasingly competitive field of international humanitarian assistance. But sometimes the International Red Cross pays dearly for its presence in an armed conflict zone. There are known cases when its employees were treacherously killed or kidnapped. But despite this, the ICRC refuses armed guards for its staff, hospitals and convoy escorts, thereby demonstrating its readiness to provide assistance to anyone who requests it and its independence from any government agencies.

Thus, the International Committee of the Red Cross throughout its existence, from its creation to the present day, has been carrying out activities to provide assistance to victims of various conflicts. Starting from practical activities, that is, direct treatment of victims, delivery of food and medicine, etc., and ending with the theoretical development of documents that have international significance and by taking measures to limit the proliferation of weapons that cause unnecessary suffering and inhumane methods of warfare.

7 . ANDhistory of the Red Cross in Russia

Russia joined the Geneva Convention in 1867, and at the same time, on May 15, 1867, Emperor Alexander II approved the Charter of the Society for the Care of Wounded and Sick Soldiers (in 1876 it was renamed the Russian Red Cross Society). By this time, Russia had accumulated extensive experience in providing assistance to war victims. Russia was one of the first countries in the world where the Red Cross Society was created.

In the First World War (1914-1918), 38 states were involved, the number of active armies exceeded 29 million people, and more than 20 million people died. At this time, the ROKK prepared and sent 10 thousand nurses to the medical institutions of the military department, formed 150 food centers, more than 20 sanitary courts, equipped 360 sanitary trains, and 65 anti-epidemic detachments worked in areas where the wounded were concentrated. During the First World War, chemical weapons were used for the first time on the battlefields of Europe; Asphyxiating gases brought severe suffering to the soldiers. ROKK organized enterprises in Moscow and Petrograd for the production of special protective bandages and organized their delivery to the front.

On November 20, 1918, a general meeting of members of the Russian Red Cross Society was held in Moscow, where the Charter was adopted and the Central Committee was elected. The humane traditions and valuable experience of the ROKK were adopted by the Soviet Red Cross and were widely developed in its activities.

The resolution of the Council of People's Commissars of the RSFSR, signed by V.I. Lenin on May 30, 1918, brought to the attention of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the governments of all states that recognized the Geneva Convention that “this convention, both in its original and in all later editions, as well as all other international conventions and agreements relating to the Red Cross, recognized by Russia before October 1917, are recognized and will be observed by the Soviet Government, which retains all rights and prerogatives based on these conventions and agreements."

Help from all foreign countries for the period from 1921 to 1922. amounted to more than 512 million tons of food, which made it possible to provide food for about 11 million hungry people.

During this period, through the efforts of SOKK and KP activists, medical and obstetric centers were opened, primarily in remote and backward areas of the Far North, Siberia and Central Asia.

During the same period, the Soviet Red Cross, at its own expense, organized a health service for young pioneers, and a network of children's preventive outpatient clinics, camps, sanatoriums, playgrounds, and nurseries was created. In 1925, the Artek pioneer camp was opened with funds from the Central Committee of the OKC of the RSFSR. SOKK and Communist Party of the USSR initiated the creation of air ambulance, which contributed to the timely treatment of thousands of patients.

IN pre-war years In the 30s, the SOKK and Communist Party of the USSR organized mass training of the population in first aid techniques and caring for the sick at home; sanitary posts and squads were formed. In 1926-1927 To support the state health care system, local SOKK and KP organizations created nursing courses.

In 1934, the ROKK, as part of the SOKK and KP, was admitted to the International League of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

The activities of SOKK and KP in the field of mass medical and sanitary training of the population and treatment and preventive work made a significant contribution to the preparedness of the population for the difficult trials that befell the Soviet people during the Great Patriotic War.

During the war years, assistance to the sick and wounded reached an unprecedented scale. Organizations of the Soviet Red Cross trained 23 million people under the GSO program.

The Great Patriotic War is one of the most striking pages in the history of the Soviet Red Cross, which contributed to the common cause of victory over German Nazism.

In the post-war period, the Soviet Red Cross, true to its duty, came to the aid of the peoples of foreign countries in the elimination of dangerous infectious diseases, the organization of medical institutions and the development of national healthcare. Our doctors worked in Poland, China, and North Korea to eliminate epidemics of plague, typhoid, and smallpox. Soviet Red Cross hospitals were opened in Iran, Ethiopia, and North Korea, in which our specialists provided medical care to the local population.

Drought, cyclones, earthquakes, floods, typhoons caused enormous damage to the population of countries such as Niger, Sudan, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Laos, Bolivia, Peru, Mexico, Colombia and others. Emergency aid was sent to these countries - tents, blankets, stretchers, medicines, medical instruments, dressings, food.

In 1987, an acute food shortage arose in India due to a bad harvest. Famine began in the country, and epidemics of infectious diseases broke out. Aid to the population of India from the Soviet Red Cross became one of the largest humanitarian actions in the 80s.

In the 90s, the Russian Red Cross Society faced new challenges to solve problems that had not previously occurred in our country. Rapid socio-economic and political transformations led to the emergence of new independent states on the map of the former USSR.

On July 20, 1996, the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation “On state support of the Russian Red Cross Society” was issued, and on December 27 of the same year, the Resolution of the State Duma of the Russian Federation “On state support of the Russian Red Cross Society” was adopted.

Conclusion

The International Committee of the Red Cross, having been created in mid-19th centuries, thanks to the experiences of one person, it continues to function to this day according to the principles that were laid down during its creation. This activity is difficult to overestimate, since thanks to it millions were saved human lives. Despite the difficulties that ICRC workers have to face in their work, they selflessly come to where people are waiting for help. But helping victims is not the only goal of the Red Cross. By providing support, he serves an equally important task: to defend during war the idea of human solidarity and respect for human dignity, when the real or imaginary needs of war push moral values into the background. Over many years of work. The ICRC has accumulated unique experience and has become truly the world's largest humanitarian organization. Close cooperation between regional organizations makes it possible to quickly and effectively respond to problematic situations arising around the world.

Bibliography

1. Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocols thereto. International Committee of the Red Cross, - M.: "Infra-M". - 1997.-162p.

2. War crimes. Edited by R. Gutman and D. Rieff. M.: “Text”, 2002.-293 p.

3. The effect of international law during armed conflicts. Kukushkina A.V. “State and Law”, - M.: “Knowledge”. - 1994, No. 1, pp. 102 - 108.

4. International law, Biryukov P.N.M.: “Lawyer”, 2001 - 27c.

5. Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) for Disaster Relief Operations.

6. Code of conduct, principles of activity of the international Red Cross and Red Crescent movement and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the implementation of disaster relief programs and natural disasters.

7. Geneva Convention of August 12, 1949 for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick in Armed Forces in the Field.

Posted on Allbest.ru

...

History of the Red Cross.

On June 24, 1859, Henri Dunant, a citizen of the Swiss canton of Geneva, on his way to Northern Italy to meet with Napoleon III, witnessed the bloody battle of Solferino between Franco-Sardinian and Austrian troops. Dunant spent the night after the battle in the small village of Castiglione, where more than nine thousand wounded French and Austrians were brought. He was shocked by the fact that neither the locals nor the French army were simply able to provide first aid to most of the wounded. The Swiss philanthropist spent several days in Castiglione, helping the wounded along with local residents. Returning to Geneva, he published his memoirs of the battle in 1862 Memory of Solferino (Le memoire de Solferino). Describing the Franco-Austrian war and the battle that took place, he wondered: is it possible to create a voluntary charitable organization providing assistance to the wounded during wars and armed conflicts? The answer to this question was the creation of the Red Cross. Developing this idea, Dunant appealed to the governments of European countries with a request to develop and legally formulate the main international agreements regulating the practical activities of volunteerism. non-governmental organization to provide assistance to the wounded and civilians affected during armed conflicts. Later legislative design these agreements are reflected in Geneva Conventions (1949).

Dunant's memoirs were translated into almost all European languages and instantly became a bestseller. These memoirs were a reference book for many representatives of the European political elite.

Geneva charitable society "La Société genevoise d"utilité publique" (Geneva Union for the Maintenance public good") studied Dunant's publication in detail and established a committee to deal with the practical implementation of the recommendations. This body, consisting of 5 members, later became known as the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The first meeting of the ICRC took place on February 17, 1863. At the same time, a decision was made on the neutral status of the Red Cross, which was supposed to ensure its impartial and effective activities.

The Danish-Prussian War of 1864 was the first test of strength for the Red Cross. The ICRC decided to send two delegates to monitor the fighting and provide assistance to the wounded. Delegates wearing the ICRC symbol (a red cross on a white background) worked on both sides of the front and often acted as intermediaries between Danish and Prussian troops. This undoubtedly enhanced the ICRC's credibility as a neutral and impartial organization.

The ICRC did not provide direct assistance to the wounded and victims of armed conflict during the Austro-Prussian War (1866), which was largely due to Austria's reluctance to sign the Geneva Convention. However, using its authority, the ICRC managed to convince Prussia and Italy, which signed the convention, to comply with it unilaterally. The ICRC's first full-scale operation was to help those injured during the Franco-Prussian War (1870). During this military campaign, the Red Cross not only provided aid to the wounded, but also created a service to forward letters from prisoners of war to their families. During the Eastern Crisis (1875–1878) and Russian-Turkish War(1877–1878) The Ottoman Empire allowed the activities of the Red Cross on its territory, however, obliging the ICRC to change its symbolism to the Red Crescent.

During World War I, the Red Cross primarily concentrated its efforts on aiding prisoners of war, civilians, and the repatriation of prisoners of war and refugees following the signing of the Armistice at Compiègne. The Red Cross also tried (although unsuccessfully) to force the conflicting parties to abandon the use of chemical weapons.

In the period between the world wars, the activities of the Red Cross were characterized not only by sending missions to areas of armed conflict, helping the wounded and refugees (for example, the ICRC provided assistance to Spanish refugees in France, during and after the end of the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939) , but also collecting help for the hungry Soviet Russia in the 1920s.

The activities of the Red Cross during the Second World War were complicated by the total nature of the armed conflict, which affected not only military personnel, but to a huge extent the civilian population of the warring countries. At that time, international law included provisions for the protection of prisoners of war (Geneva Convention, signed on July 27, 1929), but assistance to civilians was not enshrined in international law. In addition, the Nazi regime did not recognize many international agreements at all. The ICRC therefore provided significant support to prisoners of war, while its mission to provide assistance to civilians and, in particular, prisoners concentration camps, were of a limited nature or were completely impossible. The signing of four Geneva Conventions in 1949 and later two additional protocols significantly expanded the scope of the organization's activities. Thus, the Red Cross began to provide assistance not only to civilian and military victims of international and local internal conflicts, but also to political and non-political prisoners. In fact, the activities of the Red Cross have become global and comprehensive.

In 2002, ICRC staff visited over 2,000 places of detention and maintained individual contact with approximately 150,000 prisoners. It is estimated that they collected about 500 thousand and distributed about 450 thousand “Red Cross messages” to help reunite families separated by armed conflicts. The ICRC provided direct financial assistance 1.5 million people, provided access to drinking water and healthcare for several million people. The Red Cross has received the Nobel Peace Prize three times - in 1917, 1945 and 1963.

ICRC budget.

The ICRC's funding mainly consists of contributions from signatory states to the Geneva Conventions, national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies, voluntary donations from international governmental (for example, the European Union) and non-governmental public organizations, as well as private individuals. At the end of each calendar year The ICRC requests financial support two main lines of its budget (budget for ICRC headquarters and budget for ICRC missions). Thus, he is trying to raise additional funds to carry out key missions in conflict zones. The Red Cross often makes similar requests during the calendar year. For example, in March 2003, the ICRC asked for emergency financial assistance from member countries, international organizations and individuals to cover costs associated with the activities of the ICRC mission in Iraq. Then it was necessary to collect 108 million Swiss francs.

According to the Red Cross (“Le CICR dans le monde, 2002”, avril 2003), in 2002 the expenses of this organization amounted to 821.7 million Swiss francs (of which 146.8 million were the budget of the Geneva headquarters, and 674, 9 million was spent on various missions). The total budget for 2003 amounted to 938.7 million francs (for reference - as of April 2003, 1 US dollar = 1,351 Swiss francs).

A significant portion of the incoming funds (approximately 41% of the budget or 307.3 million francs) is spent on supporting the Red Cross missions in African continent, followed by Asia (159.6 million francs or 21.2% of the budget) and the Euro-Atlantic region (Europe and North America) – 120.2 million francs or 16% of the budget. At the beginning of the 21st century. the most “expensive” missions of the Red Cross are: Afghanistan (budget - 89.6 million francs), Israel and the Palestinian Authority (71.2 million francs), Russian Federation(47.5 million francs), Democratic Republic of the Congo (46.4 million francs), Sudan (46.1 million francs), Colombia (34.8 million francs) and Rwanda (27.4 million francs)

Structure of the ICRC.

The International Committee of the Red Cross is governed by the ICRC Assembly (the highest authority), the Assembly Council (the body of the Assembly acting on a permanent basis on its behalf) and the ICRC Directorate (the organization's executive body). ICRC President Jakob Kellenberger, a doctor at the University of Zurich and former Swiss Foreign Minister, simultaneously heads the Assembly Council and the ICRC Assembly itself.

The ICRC Assembly exercises basic control over the activities of the Red Cross, develops the doctrine of the ICRC, its main goals, organizational strategy and determines the key areas of activity of this organization. The Assembly also adopts the ICRC's budget and monitors its implementation. The Assembly consists of Members of the ICRC and, in essence, is a collegial decision-making body. The President of the Assembly and the two Vice-Presidents are respectively the President and Vice-Presidents of the ICRC. Sometimes the Assembly delegates some of its powers to the Assembly Council.

ICRC Assembly Council consists of five members directly elected by the Assembly. The President of the ICRC also heads the Assembly Council itself. The Council ensures the daily functioning of the Assembly, develops the main strategic directions of the ICRC's activities: budgetary, information and personnel policies of the Red Cross, public relations, maintaining contacts between the Directorate and the Assembly.

ICRC Directorate, as the executive body of the ICRC, is responsible for the implementation of the main tasks and implementation of the organizational strategy, as determined by the Assembly and the Council of the Assembly. The Directorate is also responsible for the effectiveness of the Red Cross administration. It is appointed by the Assembly and consists of a Director General (Angelo Gnedinger, January 2004) and five Directors (Operational Support, Mission, Human Resources, Information and Public Relations, International Law and Cooperation).

The International Conference of the Red Cross is the highest advisory body of the Red Cross. It was held for the first time in Paris in 1867. Since then it has been held regularly, once every four years. Its work involves representatives of national organizations of the Red Cross, the ICRC, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, as well as delegations of countries that have signed the main Geneva Conventions. The International Federation of National Red Cross Societies, established in 178 countries, and the ICRC are components of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement ICRC. The ICRC and the Federation are guided by identical principles, while at the same time being independent organizations. National Red Cross Societies are autonomous organizations. It should be noted, however, that some of their powers are delegated by the governments of the respective countries. In their activities, national societies are guided by their charters (based on the basic principles of the ICRC) and national legislation when solving pressing problems, such as: providing humanitarian assistance, developing and implementing educational programs, and assistance in the field of health care.

The Red Cross Society in Russia was founded on May 15, 1867 and officially registered as the “Russian Society for the Care of Wounded and Sick Soldiers.” The society was patronized by Empress Maria Alexandrovna, wife of Emperor Alexander II. In 1925 it was renamed the Union of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in the USSR. After the collapse of the USSR, the organization changed its name to the “Russian Red Cross” and is currently part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The Red Cross Society pursued an active humanitarian policy: during the civil war it had its own hospitals and anti-epidemic units, Soviet time The Red Cross built the Artek pioneer camp with its own money. In 1919, national Red Cross societies organized the League of Red Cross Societies (later the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies) to develop a program of mutual aid and development in peacetime. Assisting new National Red Cross Societies, expanding the scope of activities of national organizations and coordinating their efforts to overcome large-scale natural disasters are among the main tasks of the League. The permanent secretariat of the League is located in Geneva; the League itself, supported by voluntary donations, includes over 100 national societies with a total membership of more than 108 million people. At the moment, the union of the ICRC, the League of Red Cross Societies and national societies is designated as the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

The legislative framework.

Geneva Conventions And Statutes of the International Committee of the Red Cross adopted on June 24, 1998 at the ICRC Assembly are the legal basis defining the activities of the movement. The statutes, consisting of 18 articles, define the mission of the Red Cross, a new organizational structure, control over the expenditure of funds and the management of property, the budget of the ICRC, issues of membership in the Red Cross and the organization's relationship with governmental and non-governmental organizations. The statutes also highlight the fact that the ICRC is one of the main defenders of the rule of international law.

Main Geneva Convention concerning the Treatment of the Wounded on the Battlefield (The Geneva Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded in Armies in the Field) was signed on August 22, 1864 in Geneva by the member states of the Red Cross. The contracting parties did not stop there and decided to expand the jurisdiction of the “law of war”. In 1868, the so-called “St. Petersburg Declaration” was adopted, which prohibited the use of certain types of artillery shells. Over the following years, a number of significant amendments and additions were adopted to the Geneva Convention. In particular, the jurisdiction of the “law of war” began to extend not only to ground troops, but also to the naval forces, and in 1929 a special amendment was adopted regulating the treatment of prisoners of war during armed conflicts.

The horrors of World War II and the enormous civilian casualties forced the ICRC to completely reconsider the humanitarian law that existed at that time. The result of numerous negotiations was the signing in 1949 of four Geneva Conventions, including the basic principles and norms of humanitarian law and the “law of war”:

First Convention ( Geneva Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick in Armed Forces in the Field) determined the attitude towards wounded and sick military personnel of the ground forces in the theater of military operations; Second Convention ( Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of Wounded, Sick and Shipwrecked Members of Armed Forces at Sea), similar to the first, belonged to naval forces; Third Convention ( Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War) regulated the attitude towards prisoners of war, and the Fourth

(Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949) defined the legal rules applicable to civilians during armed conflicts.

In 1977, two additional protocols to the main Geneva Conventions were adopted ( Protocol for the Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts And Protocol for the Protection of Victims of Internal Armed Conflicts). The main purpose of these Protocols is to adapt existing international humanitarian law to the new realities of international and local armed conflicts.

Internet resources: official ICRC website - www.icrc.org

Danila Bochkarev

During the meeting, a commission of five members was created. In addition to Henri Dunant himself and Gustav Moynier, it included General Guillaume-Henri Dufour and doctors Louis Appiah and Theodore Maunir - all Swiss citizens. The commission met for the first time on February 17, 1863 and called itself the "International Committee for the Relief of the Wounded."

“Is it not possible to create relief societies in all European countries which, in wartime, on a voluntary basis, would provide care for the wounded, regardless of nationality?”

This proposal would form the basis for the creation of national Red Cross societies and, later, Red Crescent Societies.

This second sentence of Dunant marked the beginning of modern humanitarian international law, the first written and concrete embodiment of which would be the Geneva Convention of 1864.

Popular

Fine art of Ancient Rome

« 1844 - June 21, 1908) - Russian composer, member of the "Mighty Handful". He was a true master of orchestration. The most famous symphonic... »

Art of the Roman Republic

« IntroductionN.A. Rimsky-Korsakov (1844-1908) outstanding Russian composer, teacher, conductor, public figure, music critic. In his... »

Encyclopedia of fairy-tale characters: Frog-traveler

« Title of the work: The Frog-Traveller Genre: fairy tale Year of writing: 1887 Main characters: a frog, a flock of ducks After reading a brief description of the fairy tale... »