ICRC
International Committee of the Red Cross
President: Emilio Antonio Contreras Salas
Chair:
Topic A) Measures to protect and assist the civil population and detained persons affected by the armed conflict between the State of Israel and Palestinian armed groups in the Gaza Strip
Topic B) Strategies to support displaced persons and ensure the protection of the rights of detained people after the conflict in the region of Nagorno-Karabakh
Background and Faculties
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is an independent and neutral organization whose purpose is to provide humanitarian help and protection to victims of armed conflicts and other types of violence around the world. It was founded in 1863 in Geneva, Switzerland, and its work includes medical care, humanitarian assistance and promotion of respect and compliance with the International Humanitarian Law (IHL). Currently, the ICRC works in more than 90 countries and has partners in Asia-Pacific, Africa, America, Europe and the Middle East. Although it is not part of the United Nations, it works constantly with its agencies, such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the World Health Organization (WHO) and has permanent observer status at the General Assembly.
The International Committee of the Red Cross does humanitarian actions to protect the lives and dignity of people affected by armed conflicts. Therefore, the ICRC is authorized to:
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Train medical staff and set up shelters in conflict zones to provide medical aid, access to basic needs as well as shelter for people who are in vulnerable situations;
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Monitor the conditions of prisoners and persons who lost their liberty during armed conflicts to ensure that they are treated with dignity and that their rights are respected;
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Act as a neutral mediator during crisis situations to facilitate dialogue, reach agreements and implement actions that protect the lives, dignity and rights of affected people;
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Implement networks to research and contact separated families by armed conflicts, displacement or enforced disappearances through the Central Tracing Agency;
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Work with international organizations like the United Nations and specialized NGOs to coordinate help actions, develop solutions and ensure human rights are respected during armed conflicts;
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Promote respect and compliance with International Humanitarian Law through educational campaigns, monitoring of humanitarian conditions and preventive actions during armed conflicts;