The
28th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent
has closed in Geneva with commitments from governments and the
Movement to pursue a wide range of actions to protect human
dignity between now and the next International Conference in
2007.
The 1,500 participants – from the States Party to the
Geneva Convention, national Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies,
the International Federation and the International Committee
of the Red Cross – adopted an Agenda for Humanitarian
Action, which seeks to boost protection in times of conflict
and to minimise the impact of disasters and disease on vulnerable
groups.
“This was the first International Conference of the 21st
century, and it came at a time when the world is facing major
challenges to peace and security and widespread threats to health,”
said Conference President Jaime Fernández, president
of the Panamanian Red Cross. “Never before have we had
such outstanding attendance, in terms of both the number of
participants and the level of representation from States and
National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.”
Reducing risks
The declaration adopted by the conference noted that “protecting
human dignity requires the raising of health standards and the
reduction of health risks through comprehensive prevention,
treatment and care measures, including access to medicines at
affordable prices.”
“Accordingly we commit ourselves to efforts to reduce
the risks and effects of disasters on vulnerable populations,
as well as to reduce their vulnerability to disease due to stigma
and discrimination,” it said.
The president of the International Federation, Juan Manuel Suárez
del Toro, hailed the commitment by States to reduce disaster
risk through measures such as the improved, sustainable management
of natural resources, the environment and land use, appropriate
urban planning and the enforcement of building codes.
“Many lives can be saved through implementation of existing
laws and policy, as we have seen in recent natural disasters,
particularly earthquakes”, he said.
He also warmly welcomed the action set out in the Humanitarian
Agenda to reduce the growing vulnerability to diseases such
as HIV/AIDS among groups that are socially marginalized and
lack access to preventive measures, treatment, care and support.
Eradicating discrimination
“States have also shown support for the eradication of
discrimination in the workplace against people living with HIV/AIDS,
and we look to them to help our National Red Cross and Red Crescent
Societies to build sustainable volunteer capacity in the areas
of HIV/AIDS and health promotion,” Suárez del Toro
said.
The President of the ICRC, Jakob Kellenberger, said the Conference
was “marked by its clear affirmation of the validity and
pertinence of international humanitarian law in contemporary
armed conflicts”.
He welcomed the two objectives of the Humanitarian Agenda that
related to armed conflicts, one aimed at ensuring respect for
and restoring the dignity of persons missing as a result of
conflict, and the other at strengthening protection through
controls on weapons development, proliferation and use.
“We all agreed that urgent action is required to prevent
the misuse of biotechnology for hostile purposes and the erosion
of the prohibitions on poisoning and the deliberate spread of
disease contained in international humanitarian law,”
said Kellenberger.
Another key move from the conference was to adopt a resolution
adopted earlier in the week by the Council of Delegates to ask
the Standing Commission to continue to give “high priority
to securing, as soon as circumstances permit, a comprehensive
and lasting solution to the question of the emblem ... on the
basis of the proposed draft Third Additional Protocol.
Concrete action
The conference was notable for marking the farewell from the
Standing Commission of its chairperson for the past eight years,
Princess Margriet of the Netherlands.
"I hope our work of humanitarian commitment contained in
the agenda and the pledges will be transformed into concrete
action," she said. “The Movement and governments
must begin the work of implementation now. Together we can make
a difference to humanity."
Princess Margriet said the conference had “uplifted us
all and empowered us in our humanitarian work", and she
reserved a special mention for the volunteers “for their
hard work and ready assistance”. They and the staff, she
reminded the conference, were the backbone of the Movement.
The princess has been replaced as chairperson of the Standing
Commission by the president of the Jordan Red Crescent Society,
Dr. Mohammed Al-Hadid. Thanking his predecessor for having transformed
the Standing Commission into a "strong and active Movement
body."
He pledged to follow "the humanitarian values of this great
Movement and to serve with the Fundamental Principles guiding
my way."
|
 |
 |
|
|
Federation
President, Juan Manuel Suarez del Toro welcomed the adoption
of the Agenda for Humanitarian Action (p10846)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Over
1,500 representatives of governments, the Red Cross Red
Crescent Movement and other organisations took part in
the 28th International Conference (p10858)
|
|
|
 |
|
|
The
outgoing chairperson of the Standing Commission, Princess
Margriet of the Netherlands, pictured with her successor,
Dr Mohammad al-Hadid, president of the Jordan Red Crescent
(p10843)
|
|
News
