The
Red Cross Red Cross Movement today pledged to continue addressing
issues such as discrimination, intolerance and people missing
in armed conflict at a ceremony during its 28th International
Conference.
All Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies and the States
attending the International Conference are invited to make a
pledge on an issue of major concern for them.
“Discrimination, violence, intolerance and lack of respect
for diversity represent one of the key challenges to the goal
of protecting human dignity,” said Juan Manuel Suárez
del Toro, president of the International Federation. “Together,
they marginalize individuals and communities and deny their
access to services and fuel mistrust, exclusion and abuse.”
Respect for diversity
Representing the International Federation at a pledge signing
ceremony during the conference, Suárez del Toro committed
the Federation to continuing to work on non-discrimination and
respect for diversity. With this pledge, the International Federation
demonstrates its firm commitment to protect and promote human
dignity.
“We are convinced that much more needs to be done in this
field. This pledge reaffirms and renews our commitment to work
in partnership with other components of the Movement and other
actors to better understand the underlying issues that fuel
these issues and to take action to combat these trends”,
the president of the International Federation said.
The pledge was approved by the National Red Cross and Red Crescent
Societies attending the 14th General Assembly of International
Federation, held in Geneva from 28 to 30 November 2003.
On behalf of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC),
its president, Jakob Kellenberger, reaffirmed the organisation's
commitment to resolving the problem of missing people as a result
of armed conflict or internal violence and to assisting their
families.
Lasting wounds
The uncertainty in which these families have to live generates
suffering and anger that often continues long after the situation
of violence is over. The lack of clarity on the fate of persons
unaccounted for because of war or internal violence leaves lasting
wounds and can present a major obstacle on the path to peace
and reconciliation.
The ICRC also pledged to reinforce its co-operation with authorities
and organisations to ensure that common guidelines are adopted
and used when trying to determine the fate of missing persons
and helping their families.
By signing this pledge, Kellenberger underlined the ICRC's ambition
to push the problem to the forefront of its humanitarian agenda.
Princess Astrid of Belgium also attended the ceremony and, on
behalf of the Belgium Red Cross, presented pledges that reflect
the four themes discussed at the International Conference which
are the missing, weapons, HIV/AIDS and natural disaster.
“I am proud to sign these pledges today and I hope more
than anything that they will became reality for the people in
need”, said the princess after the signing ceremony.
Promotion and dissemination of International Humanitarian Law
and HIV/AIDS related stigma and discrimination are other burning
issues for many of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
who have made this the focus of their pledges.
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Federation
President Juan Manuel Suarez del Toro signs the Federation's
pledge (p10820)
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Suarez
del Toro (right) shakes hands with Hisham Harun Hashim
of the Malaysian Red Crescent, vice-president of the International
Conference, watched by ICRC president, Jakob Kellenberger
(p10834)
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Princess
Astrid, watched by the Belgian ambassador, Michel Adam,
signs a pledge on behalf of the Belgian Red Cross (p10831)
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