1968 has been chosen International Year for Human Rights and the UN General Assembly has invited states and institutions to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Red Cross too is associated in this commemoration by publishing in the International Review the following article on Red Cross and Human Rights; this will be followed in other issues with contributions on the same theme.

From the beginning of its existence the Red Cross has had two objectives: the setting up of relief societies and the promotion of rules in law justifying and facilitating relief action. At the present time it has two types of activity: relief in the field and the improvement of humanitarian law. It is this second activity, the Red Cross contribution to humanitarian law, which we shall consider here.

On receipt of messages from the Delegates in Saigon of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the League of Red Cross Societies concerning the new needs of the civilian population in the Republic of Vietnam as a result of recent events, the ICRC and the League sent the following joint appeal to the National Societies on the 9th February, 1968:

View new situation created by extension hostilities Vietnam ICRC and League appeal National Societies

Republic Vietnam Government request behalf 500,000 newly displaced persons whom 100,000 Saigon in order priority foodstuffs specially milk medicaments clothing. Vietnam Red Cross assisted by ICRC and League Delegates organising milk distribution to 100,000 displaced persons Saigon. Funds already sent enable commencement this first action in close liaison ICRC League Geneva and locally.

The International Committee of the Red Cross in Geneva is constantly being questioned about press news describing inhuman acts committed during the fighting now taking place in Vietnam.

The Commission of neutral experts appointed by the International Committee to examine the cases of victims of pseudomedical experiments practised in concentration camps under the Nazi regime, to whom the Government of the German Federal Republic is prepared to pay compensation, again met in Geneva at ICRC headquarters on February 2 and 3, 1968. The President, Mr. William Lenoir, Judge at the Court of Justice of Geneva, was assisted by Dr. Sylvain Mutrux, Medical Assistant Director of the Bel-Air Psychiatric Clinic and Dr. Pierre Magnenat, Professor at the Faculty and assistant at the University Clinic of the Nestlé Hospital in Lausanne. The Polish Red Cross was represented by Miss Zys and Dr. Nowkunski, whilst Dr. Goetz represented the German Red Cross in the Federal Republic of Germany.

It has been shown necessary to undertake the restoration of the Central Agency's premises installed since 1950 near ICRC headquarters, in Geneva. The work has recently been completed whose importance we indicate by giving a few facts and figures. It should first of all be pointed out that a staff of 27 still work there and deal on an average each month with a volume of 6000 letters and communications.

The International Committee has just produced another colour film; it is entitled They Are Still in Need. This film portrays the work carried out by the ICRC medical teams in the Yemen. It shows among other things doctors working in caves in the heart of the Jauf desert where they treat the wounded soldiers and civilian victims of the events of the last few months.

On the edge of the desert the stone houses of the Yemeni village alongside the dirty streets stand out against the night sky. We go into the courtyard of the Government building which has been seriously damaged by bombs. Then we have a short interview with the Prince's adjutant.