As the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine deepens, the International Committee of the Red Cross calls on the parties to the conflict to immediately agree on specific measures.
As the "international armed conflict" in Ukraine enters its fifth week, the rate of casualties, destruction and suffering that continues to be inflicted on civilians is "disgusting and unacceptable," according to the International Committee of the Red Cross in Geneva.
Over the past five weeks, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has met with Russian and Ukrainian officials to discuss their obligations under International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and what practical steps should be taken to limit the suffering of civilians and non-combatants, including the wounded. , The sick and prisoners of war to be adopted, have spoken. What is of deep concern to the International Committee of the Red Cross is that the parties have yet to fulfill many of their core obligations under international humanitarian law or to reach consensus on key issues that only they can specifically implement.
Main issues include:
Safe passage and evacuation of civilians to alleviate the enormous suffering that occurs in Mariupol. We have made detailed proposals in this regard, but specific agreements are still needed to continue. Today, in the absence of a ceasefire or other necessary arrangements to allow civilians to escape safely, they are forced to make a life-and-death decision.
Time is running out for civilians in Mariupol and other frontline areas who have been without humanitarian aid for weeks. The military on the ground needs to provide security guarantees and practical agreements to civilians and humanitarian organizations to allow aid to enter and leave those who want to leave safely.
In addition, the parties to the conflict must notify the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) of any prisoners of war (and other persons deprived of their liberty) and allow them to visit. We expect the parties to comply with their obligations under the Geneva Conventions without further delay.
The parties should follow specific suggestions regarding the dignified management of corpses so that corpses can be identified, families informed and returned.
Under international humanitarian law, the warring parties are obliged to protect civilians, limit military operations to purely military purposes, and take precautionary measures.
The head of the International Committee of the Red Cross traveled to Kiev and then to Moscow to meet with officials in an effort to advance talks on the issue, reduce suffering and increase assistance to civilians in need.
His meetings with Moscow officials angered some. We want to make it clear that these diplomatic meetings with all parties are based on international humanitarian law and a strong support for the best interests of the civilians involved in the conflict.
At the same time, deliberate and targeted attacks using false narratives and misleading information to discredit the International Committee of the Red Cross have the potential to cause real harm to the teams of the International Committee of the Red Cross, partners of our active Red Cross movement in the field. , And the people we serve.
As needs increase by the hour, our ability to provide the humanitarian assistance we need today is subject to a wave of misinformation about our work and the role we play in reducing the suffering of armed conflict.
One allegation that has no real basis is a false claim about the role of the International Committee of the Red Cross in forced extradition.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has not been involved in any deportation or forced transfer of civilians to Russia from Mariupol or any other Ukrainian city.
To be completely clear on this, we will never support any operation that is against the will of the people.
We currently have teams in Belarus, Hungary, Moldova, Poland and Romania.
Finally, impartial and impartial humanitarian action must be respected, both for us and for others. This goes beyond the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Impartiality and impartiality are not abstract concepts or transcendent principles that have nothing to do with real-life experiences. It is a means to an end, a mode of action that allows us to reach out to civilians, help them and, in many cases, save their lives, no matter where they are on the front lines.
Our presence is for help and support, and should never be construed as legitimizing a sovereignty or claiming the borders of a territory that is the exclusive right and obligation of political actors.
This is the kind of humanitarian rescue and transformation work that we and others must be allowed to do in response to the growing humanitarian need arising from this international armed conflict in Ukraine and the surrounding countries.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has been working in Ukraine since 2014 to support those affected by the conflict. Since the recent escalation of the crisis, we have imported more than 500 tons of medical equipment, food and relief items to Ukraine in response to the growing humanitarian needs in this country. We continue to increase aid and now have teams in 10 regions across the country.
A world without neutral and impartial humanitarian action is a darker and more dangerous place for the victims of conflict and for all of us.
