7 Fundamental Principles

7/27/2019 7 Fundamental Principles

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/7-fundamental-principles 1/28

The 7 FundamentalPrinciples of The Red

Cross and Red Crescent

Movement

A historical perspective



I) Origins and historical analysisof the 7 Fundamental

Principles

II) Full Text of the 7

Fundamental Principles

Contents for thispresentation

Principles and Values. International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies



As early as 1875, Gustave Moyniersuggested that the RC should

observe the following 4 Principles:1 Foresight = preparations in advance

2 Solidarity = Mutual ties between NS

3 Centralization = One NS per country

4 Mutuality = assistance given to woundedregardless of nationality.

I. Origins of the7 Fundamental Principles



In 1921, the revised Statutes of the

ICRC were modified and incorporatedfour Fundamental Principles:

- impartiality, political, religious and

economic independence, theuniversality of the Movement and theequality of its members.

I) Origins of the

7 Fundamental Principles



In 1946, the League's Board ofGovernors confirmed the four 1921principles, supplemented by anotherthirteen principles and six rules ofapplication.

Those Principles are known as the"Oxford Principles"

I) Origins of the




In 1955 Jean Pictet defined andanalyzed all the values which guide

the work of the Movement. He listed17 principles in two categories:

a. Fundamental Principles, which express the very

reason for the Movement's existence and inspireand influence all it does;

b. the organic principles, which concern theMovement's structure and how it works.

I) Origins of the




The Movement's seven FundamentalPrinciples as they stand today wereunanimously adopted in 1965 by the20th International Conference of theRed Cross, which also decided thatthey should be solemnly read out at

the opening of every InternationalConference.

I) Origins of the


Principles and Values. International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Click your mouse to continue….



In 1986, the 25th InternationalConference of the Red Cross (in

Geneva) reaffirmed the importanceof the Principles by including themin the Preamble to the Movement's

Statutes; their drafting was slightlyamended, and is as follows:

I) Origins of the




Fundamental Principles

• Humanity

• Impartiality

• Neutrality

• Independence

•

Voluntary Service• Unity

• Universality



Analysis of the

7 Fundamental

Principles



The Statutes of the Movement

underscore the obligation of all thecomponents of the RC RC Movementto act at all times in compliance with

the Fundamental Principles…Furthermore…..

I. Binding Character

of the 7FP



…the Statutes of the Movement recall

the role of the ICRC to maintain anddisseminate the FundamentalPrinciples, and the role of theFederation to assist the ICRC in thisrespect….

Furthermore…..


of the 7FP



… the Seville agreement recalls that

National Societies have a key role toplay in upholding and disseminatingthe Fundamental Principles within theirown country.


of the 7FP



States are not required to respect the

Fundamental Principles of theMovement, except in the context ofthe International Conference.


of the 7FP



The I nternational Red Cross Red Crescent Movement,

born of a desire to bring assistance without

discrimination to the wounded on the battlef ield,

endeavours, in its international and national capacity,

to prevent and alleviate human suffer ing wherever itmay be found. I ts purpose is to protect l i fe and health

and to ensure respect for the human being . I t

promotes mutual understanding, f r iendship, co-

operation and lasting peace amongst all people

Humanity



HUMANITY

it recalls the origins of the Movement: "born of adesire to bring assistance without discrimination to

the wounded on the battlefield"it recalls the double dimension of the Movement:the national and the international one

it defines the mission of the Movement: "toprevent and alleviate human suffering wherever itmay be found"

it defines the purposes of the Movement

II) Analysis of theFundamental Principles



Impartiality

I t makes no distinction as to nationality, race, rel igious

beliefs, class or poli tical opinions . I t endeavours torel ieve the suf fer ing of individuals, being guided solely

by their needs , and to give priori ty to the most urgent

cases of distress



IMPARTIALITY

The Movement makes no discrimination - andthis does not apply only to people it assists or

protects. Non-discrimination is the refusal to applydistinctions of an adverse nature to human beingssimply because they belong to a specific category.

Impartiality means that, for the Movement, the

only priority that can be set in dealing with thosewho require help must be based on need




Neutrality

I n order to enjoy the conf idence of all, theMovement may not take sides in hosti l i ties or

engage at any time in controversies of a poli tical,

racial, religious or ideological nature



NEUTRALITY

the purpose of complying is to enjoy theconfidence of all. It requires confidence of all in

many contexts, i.e. not only in armed conflictscontexts.

the Principle of Neutrality prohibits a componentof the Movement from taking part in hostilities.

the Principle of Neutrality prohibits the Movementto engage at any time in controversies of apolitical, racial, religious or ideological nature.




Independence

The Movement is independent . The National Societies,

while auxiliaries in the humanitarian services of their

government and subject to the laws of their respective

countr ies, must alwaysmaintain their autonomy so that

they may be able at all times to act in accordance with

the principles of the Movement



INDEPENDENCE

resist any interference, whether political,ideological or economic, capable of diverting them

from the course of action laid down by therequirements of humanity, impartiality andneutrality.

balance between the NS status of auxiliary to

public authorities in the humanitarian field andtheir submission to national law, on the one hand,and the need to maintain their autonomy, on theother hand.




Voluntary

Service

I t is a voluntary rel ief movement not

prompted in any manner by desire for gain



VOLUNTARY SERVICE

The Movement is a volunteer-based organization

Volunteers provide a vital source of motivation,inspiration and initiative. Volunteers help tomaintain the human quality of the RCRC servicesprovided.

Voluntary service, is also a source of economy. Itallows NS to provide services with minimumfinancial resources.




Unity

There can be only one Red Cross or one RedCrescent Society in any one country. I t must be

open to all . I t must carry on its humani tar ian work

throughout its terr i tory



UNITY

As States have agreed to the FP, they have anobligation to ensure that no other NS can be

created on their territory if they have alreadyrecognized a National Society.

a National Society has to open its membership with a broad base in the population as a whole. It

has to recruit its members from all the ethnic,social and other groups in the country.

a National Society has to be active in all parts ofthe country.




Universality

The I nternational Red Cross and CrescentMovement, in which all Societies have equal

status and share equal responsibil i ties and duties

in helping each other, is worldwide



UNIVERSALITY

The RCRC Movement is worldwide.

All National Societies have equal status in theMovement.

All Societies share equal responsibilities and

duties in helping each other.


7 Fundamental Principles

Documents

Transcript of 7 Fundamental Principles