Abandoned to the State: Cruelty and neglect in Russian orphanages
Human Rights Watch, New York, 1998

A report published by Human Rights Watch, an independent non-governmental organization, details the horrific living conditions in orphanages throughout Russia. The report reveals that “from the moment the states assume their care, orphans in Russia – of whom 95 per cent still have a living parent – are exposed to shocking levels of cruelty and neglect.” Abused, tethered by a limb to furniture, locked in freezing rooms for days at a time, denied adequate education and training, the report focuses attention on the daily violations of children’s rights throughout the orphanage system. As a conclusion, Human Rights Watch calls upon the authorities in the Russian Federation “to stop all medical personnel from pressing parents to institutionalize newborns with various disabilities, and reallocate resources spent on instutitions to develop humane, non-discriminatory alternatives.”

Human Rights Watch, 1998, New York. Can be ordered by mail from Human Rights Watch, 350 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10118-3299, USA.

International Review of the Red Cross

Published by the ICRC since 1869, the Review has undergone a complete overhaul, including a new look. Focusing on international humanitarian law and action, as well as issues concerning the Movement, the Review will henceforth come out four times a year in one single edition. Articles will be in either French with a summary in English or in English with a summary in French. Selections of articles will be produced annually in other languages (notably in Arabic, Spanish and Russian). The March 1999 issue opens a big debate on humanitarian action, with contributions from authors of widely differing backgrounds. Readers will also find articles from the Review on the ICRC’s web site: www.icrc.org

Annual subscription fee:
Sfr. 40/USD 30/25 Euros
Contact: International Review of the Red Cross, 19 avenue de la Paix, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland.

Modes of action used by humanitarian players : Criteria for operational complementarity
by Paul Bonard, ICRC, Geneva, 1999

On the basis of a classification of the different means of action used by humanitarian players, the author shows that there are three modes of action that apply to any situation, namely “persuasion”, “denunciation” and “substitution”. He explains how relations among humanitarian players can be organized according to these three modes of action and how this
can help them achieve com-plementarity and solidarity for the benefit of the victims they serve.
ICRC, Geneva, 1998, 65 pp., photos, illustrations, 15.5 x 23 cm.

Available in French and English.
Sfr. 15.

Humanitarian Affairs Review

This review is a platform for people active in the humanitarian field to debate and analyse policies and highlight important emergencies and responses globally. It is published quarterly by Forum Europe, in partnership with the European Community Humanitarian Office and the NGO Voice. A useful publication for the world’s aid specialists – both donor and recipients.

Annual subscription fee: 48 Euros
Contact: Forum Europe, Humanitarian Affairs Review, rue des Patriotes 88, 1000 Brussels, Belgium.
Available in French and English.

Mali: Azalaï
Co-production : ICRC & Azimuts (UN Development Programme), 1999, 9 minutes

The guns may be silent, but the war is not yet over. For Mali, the country’s survival hinges on the Azalaï, or Salt Route, its drivers and their camels. Mahmoud Ould Mohamed is a driver. During the rebellion he lost three-quarters of his animals.

In order to support the communities disrupted by the conflict in Mali, the ICRC has set up a widespread vaccination programme aimed at consolidating and replenishing camel stocks. The task of helping these people to recover their livelihood has become a major ICRC concern.

Available from the ICRC in English, French and Spanish. VHS: Sfr. 20.

Henry Dunant, founder of the Red Cross
Swiss Red Cross/Appenzell branch, 1999, 30 minutes

We know very little about the life of Henry Dunant. This film, based upon historical documents, looks at the life of this 19th-century philanthropist. A portrait is painted of a visionary who had many ideas on how to foster a life of peace and solidarity for humanity.

Available from the Henry-Dunant Museum Heiden, P.O. Box 243, 9410 Heiden, Switzerland in German, French, Japanese, and English. VHS (PAL) Sfr. 38.