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The Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross (V)
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 13 January 2010
Extract
The principle goes on to state that the Red Cross may not take sides in hostilities. This refers to neutrality in the military domain, and this is indeed the initial understanding of neutrality.
The affirmation is an obvious one, but it is nonetheless essential. Some people have found it too laconic, even curt. It is true enough that the expression should apply to all forms of conflict and not only to military operations in the narrow sense. Furthermore, it should cover not only conflicts between nations but also civil wars and internal disorders. It might accordingly be better to say, the Red Cross may not take sides in armed conflicts of any kind.
- Type
- Research Article
- Information
- International Review of the Red Cross (1961 - 1997) , Volume 20 , Issue 214 , February 1980 , pp. 29 - 34
- Copyright
- Copyright © International Committee of the Red Cross 1980
References
page 29 note 1 In the first Geneva Convention, of 1864, there is specific reference to the neutrality of medical personnel. This term has not been kept, since it may give rise to confusion, and the successors to the 1864 Convention have referred instead to the protection of such military medical personnel, but the concept of neutralization has persisted and is still meaningful in common parlance.
page 34 note 1 This does not of course in any sense prevent the condemnation of inhuman practices such as torture.