The
28th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent
began on Tuesday evening with Princess Margriet of the Netherlands
urging representatives of governments and the Red Cross Red
Crescent Movement to let the “voices of the victims echo
in our minds” during the deliberations.
Representatives of 181 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies,
their International Federation, the International Committee
of the Red Cross (ICRC) and 191 States party to the Geneva Conventions
are attending the conference, which runs until 6 December and
has the central theme of Protecting Human Dignity.
Key issues under discussion include the fate of people missing
because of war, regulating the use of weapons, reducing the
impact of disasters and diseases, especially HIV/AIDS. Welcoming
participants and guests, Princess Margriet reminded them that
“this conference is not about words. It is about much
needed action. Our relevance will be judged by the difference
we make.”
Responsibility to citizens
“The challenges that we face in our day-to-day work, at
home and internationally, can only be tackled with the cooperation
of governments and the responsibility they take in caring for
their citizens,” the princess, who this week stands down
after eight years as Chairman of the Standing Commission, said.
She urged participants to turn discussion about sustainable
solutions into concrete commitments by making pledges. “Let
the voices of the victims and the voices of hope echo in our
minds,” she said.
As is traditional at international conferences, the Fundamental
Principles of the Movement were then presented, this time on
video from people around the world, reflecting the diversity
of the Movement.
Reflecting the importance of Switzerland to the Movement, the
conference gave a warm welcome to the Swiss foreign minister,
Micheline Calmy-Rey.
Universality
She said the conference had the important and difficult task
of defining common platforms in the humanitarian arena and stressed
the importance of maintaining and reinforcing the universal
nature of the Movement.
While acknowledging that the conference programme was ambitious
she expressed the hope that “concrete and durable”
results would result from its proceedings to strengthen the
protection of human dignity worldwide, and that the conference
would produce a “courageous” final declaration.
The needs of human beings “must be placed at the centre
of our reflection and action”, she said.
Calmy-Rey noted that independence, neutrality and impartiality
no longer constituted guarantees of security for humanitarian
workers. It was extremely important to find solutions to protect
the victims of armed conflict and humanitarian staff, she said,
adding: “Where no dignity exists there is no humanity.
Humanitarian action creates a space of tolerance and humanity
amidst suffering.”
Speakers at the opening ceremony reflected the partnership the
Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement has forged with partner
organizations around the world, at national, regional and international
level.
First, Visaka Dharmadasa, president of the Sri Lankan organization,
Parents of Servicemen Missing in Action, spoke about the indescribable
trauma experienced when a loved one goes missing, and the isolation,
social disintegration and poverty that all too often ensue for
their families.
Praising the ICRC, she urged governments and other authorities
to recognise the crucial role played by associations like hers
in reducing the impact on families and helping the reconciliation
process.
Partners, not beneficiaries
Dharmadasa was followed by Julian Hows, European representative
of the Global Network of People Living with HIV/Aids (GNP+),
who delivered a stirring speech which he said was only possible
because of the anti-retroviral medication he takes but which
is out of reach to millions of others.
But he said whatever treatment efforts were made, they would
be too little, too late unless prevention measures were taken,
and he urged greater support for humanitarian work for marginalised
groups, such as drug users and sex workers.
He said people living with HIV/AIDS should be regarded as partners
and not beneficiaries, adding that partnerships with groups
like GNP+ offered the best strategy to reach these groups and
express the Fundamental Principles in a way fit for the 21st
Century.
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Princess
Margriet urged participants to let the "voices of
the victims" echo during the conference (p10795)
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The
Swiss foreign minister, Micheline Calmy-Rey, said she
would like to see a "courageous" final declaration
(p10803)
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People
living with HIV/AIDS should be seen as partners, not beneficiaries,
according to Julian Hows of GNP+ (p10805)
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