Middle East : A solemn appeal by the International Committee of the Red Cross and the International federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
2 April 2002

Over the past few days and in response to the worsening situation, International Red Cross delegates and Palestine Red Crescent Society volunteers attempted to cater for the most pressing humanitarian needs in the West Bank. However, the ICRC and the International Federation have cause to regret the frequent and often serious instances in which medical personnel were prevented from performing their life saving duties. The most basic humanitarian precondition in a situation of violence, is that all medical staff and volunteers be allowed to function unmolested.

Much remains to be done in virtually all humanitarian domains - medical, livelihood of the civilian populations, protection of non combatants and of arrested persons... - yet ICRC delegates were regrettably prevented from working because of a sudden degradation of the usual lines of communication between themselves and the Israeli authorities.

Currently, the ICRC is urgently seeking access to all those who have been arrested.

The ICRC and the International Federation expect to see a rapid improvement in communications, and a subsequent improvement in working relationships,
so that vital humanitarian assistance can reach the Palestinian population, In this context, the ICRC urgently and solemnly appeals to all those employing armed force to respect international humanitarian law, and in particular the Fourth Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian persons in Time of War of 1949 and the rules governing the conduct
of hostilities.

Notably: forces and persons involved in the conduct of hostilities must take all necessary precautions to spare civilians and civilian property, to treat detained persons humanely at all times, to ensure that the wounded and sick have access to adequate medical facilities, that medical staff and means of transport may function unhampered. Also, the sanctity of all places of worship has to be respected by all forces. Terrorist acts, such as suicide bombings, are absolutely and unconditionally prohibited as are acts of reprisals, indiscriminate attacks and attacks directed against the civilian population.

The Geneva-based International Federation promotes the humanitarian activities of 178 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies among vulnerable people. By coordinating international disaster relief and encouraging development support, it seeks to prevent and alleviate human suffering. The Federation, National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross together, constitute the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.