The Principles and the Movement

Legal basis of the Movement

The legal basis for the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement is derived primarily from International Humanitarian Law (IHL). For example, the ICRC is the custodian of international humanitarian law, mandated by the international community to monitor the extent to which the Geneva Conventions are adhered to and implemented by nation states.

The relationship between National Societies (and the Federation as their representative) and IHL derives from the role they may play in an armed conflict, their relationship to States (especially their auxiliary status to governments) and their participation in the International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent. A number of provisions from the Geneva Conventions and other treaties explicitly accord National Societies with certain specific rights.

The Statutes of the Movement also provide an important legal basis, as they define the functions of the three compnents of the Movement and how they interact between themselves and with States. For the Federation and its member Societies, the Federation Constitution is also important.

For National Societies, national law is also relevant, defining a number of conditions according to which National Societies operate on a national level. Acts of recognition of National Societies and laws (or similar acts)regarding the emblem are part of national law and complete the Statutes of the Movement.