|
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
Jakob Kellenberger, ICRC president
©Thierry Gassmann / ICRC |
From
the
top |
Juan manuel Suárez del Toro, International
Federation president
©Christopher Black / International Federation |
Jakob
Kellenberger, president of the ICRC, and Juan Manuel Suárez
del Toro, president of the International Federation, respond
to questions about the International Conference and the challenges
facing it. |
| What
are your main expectations for the 28th International Conference?
Jakob Kellenberger: The
Conference brings together states and National Societies from
every corner of the globe. I see it as an opportunity to raise
awareness of the meaning of p rotecting human dignity and
to make better known the specific contribution of the different
components of the Movement — in particular that of the
ICRC — to this vast undertaking which is far too great
for the Movement alone. This endeavour is basically the struggle
to end the humiliation of human beings in all its forms. In
short, the Conference can engender recognition of the relevance
of, and broader support — including political —
for, the topics under discussion.
Juan Manuel Suárez del Toro:
One of the first expectations is that we engage in a productive
dialogue with states on what we consider the most pressing
humanitarian challenges and concerns facing the world today.
Secondly, we hope to adopt a Declaration reaffirming the commitment
of states and the Movement to uphold and promote respect for
and compliance with international humanitarian law, as well
as a commitment to work at addressing some of the main threats
to human dignity, such as disasters, disease, conflict and
acts of violence, and intolerance and discrimination. Thirdly,
we hope to build on the positive experiences of the last International
Conference in 1999, to jointly adopt an Agenda for Humanitarian
Action, with specific, measurable, and achievable actions
that will contribute to protecting human dignity.
|
|
|
|
Increasing insecurity for humanitarian workers is
a growing problem, as the most recent deaths of Movement personnel
in Afghanistan and Iraq highlight. Is there not a risk that
these developments will undermine the mission of the Movement,
and how do you plan to counter this trend?
Jakob Kellenberger: Access to the
victims and the safety of our staff are at the heart of the
issue. One of the main goals of the ICRC is to be close to
the victims. At the same time, staff security is my primary
responsibility. While the recent incidents were obviously
tragic, I see no reason to abandon our goal of being close
to the victims.
It is true that the risks have increased. What is new is that
we are now dealing with contexts in which the very fact of
being a humanitarian actor makes us a target: therein lies
a huge challenge which affects both security management and
humanitarian diplomacy. We are well aware of it and must do
everything possible to ensure we are well established and
accepted in every environment and in all cultures.
Juan Manuel Suárez del Toro:
I think the whole world shares our sense of alarm about the
growing number of attacks on humanitarian workers. In particular,
we are extremely concerned about attacks against volunteers
at the local level, who are often the first to respond to
situations that threaten the lives and dignity of vulnerable
people. When humanitarian staff and volunteers cannot operate
in safety and security, or worse, are deliberately targeted
by acts of violence and terror, our ability to reach those
in need is severely compromised.
During the International Conference, we will be renewing
our call to world leaders reminding them of their obligation
to respect the emblem, to respect the humanitarian imperative
to provide assistance, and to ensure the safety of all humanitarian
workers. But beyond this, it is clear we need to work even
harder to raise awareness at all levels, from the diplomatic
circles to the household level, about our mission and our
humanitarian principles and values. |
| The
humanitarian agenda proposed for the Conference comprises
four themes: missing persons, weapons, reducing the impact
of disasters, and non-discrimination against people with HIV/AIDS.
What tangible measures do you consider to be agreed upon with
regard to these themes?
Jakob Kellenberger: By adopting
this agenda, the Conference is drawing attention to the importance
of these topics rather than taking immediate decisions. Take,
for example, the appeal we have launched on biotechnology,
weapons and humanity: it is hoped that support for this project
will manifest itself within the framework of the Conference,
which will facilitate its implementation. The same goes for
the missing persons initiative. Whatever the case, the fact
that the Conference is dealing with these issues paves the
way for stronger political support for them. As for the other
items on the agenda, they seem to me to be very relevant.
Juan Manuel Suárez del Toro:
From the perspective of the International Federation, our
main concerns are to reduce the risk and the effects of disasters
and diseases on vulnerable populations. Specifically, we are
calling on states to incorporate disaster risk reduction into
all of their planning. Similarly, in cases of a disaster,
we need to ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches those
affected in a timely and effective manner. That is why we
are calling on states to support continued research on international
disaster response laws (IDRL), with a view to identifying
and eliminating legal, policy and operational barriers that
impede disaster response.
The HIV/AIDS epidemic is without a doubt one of the greatest
humanitarian crises facing the world today. Among the actions
proposed are specific measures for states to incorporate proven
and effective harm reduction measures into their response
to HIV/AIDS. Also, we are calling for the elimination of legal
and policy barriers that discriminate against vulnerable and
marginalized groups, such as migrants, prisoners and detainees,
and to provide access to prevention, treatment and care programmes.
Finally, the International Federation will renew its commitment
to our global campaign against HIV/AIDS stigma and discrimination,
"The truth about AIDS…Pass it on". |
|
|
|
In
your view, how serious are the divisions within the Movement
on such issues as the suspension by the American Red Cross
of its contribution to the International Federation and increasing
unilateralism, and how do you think they can be tackled?
Jakob Kellenberger: The Movement
is not a single organization nor a legal entity. Each one
of the organizations which make up the Movement has its tasks
and responsibilities. Although problems sometimes arise, I
wouldn't make a drama of them. Our principles remain the unifying
factor, and we must take them seriously. Of course, the credibility
of the Movement as a network relies to a great extent on the
effectiveness and integrity of each of its components, on
coordination between them and on respect for the rules which
they have set down for themselves. The fastest way to lose
credibility is to disregard those rules. One should not forget,
however, that in the majority of contexts coordination works
well. The trust and cooperation between the International
Federation and the ICRC are very real, based on mutual recognition
of our respective competencies and complementary roles. I
should also note that cooperation between the ICRC and the
National Societies has been strengthened to varying degrees,
depending on the nature of the cooperation.
Juan Manuel Suárez del Toro: I
believe that there is a strong sense of unity within the Movement,
as seen in our commitment to our humanitarian mission, to
our Fundamental Principles, and in the shared desire of all
components to constantly search for more effective ways to
collectively respond to existing and future humanitarian challenges.
It is completely normal in such a large and complex organization
as the Movement to find different opinions, perspectives and
approaches to the humanitarian challenges we face.
As for the issue of the American Red Cross’ non-payment
of its statutory contributions to the International Federation,
this is of course an ongoing concern. The Governing Board
of the International Federation has stated on a number of
occasions that it welcomes the positive contributions of the
American Red Cross to the International Federation, and its
support to sister National Societies. However, the Board has
also made it clear that payment of the contributions is a
formal, statutory obligation, and the non-payment is seriously
affecting the ability of the International Federation to carry
out its work on behalf of vulnerable people. We have engaged
in a constructive dialogue with the leadership of the American
Red Cross on this issue, and we are confident that we can
resolve it in the spirit of cooperation and unity that characterizes
our Movement.
|
| If
any component does not respect the rules governing the coordination
and internal functioning of the Movement, is there a way of
remedying the situation?
Jakob Kellenberger: I don't know
if everything can be remedied, but I am convinced that you
cannot just put up with it! My first reaction is to have faith
in dialogue. Therefore, we have to keep the lines of communication
open, which was what we did in Iraq in the face of the unilateralism
of certain National Societies and the frustrations of many
National Societies with regard to the ICRC's attitude towards
the application of the Seville Agreement. I am well known
for being a stickler for the rules. When views differ on the
application of the rules in a specific context, I would rather
that everyone gives their point of view and makes an effort
to understand the other's and then we can see the extent to
which these can be taken on board, without making false compromises
nor infringing the rules we have set for ourselves.
Juan Manuel Suárez del Toro:
Strategy 2010 and the Movement Strategy both emphasize the
need for all components of the Movement to work together effectively
and in a coordinated manner. It's a goal that I think everyone
in the Movement agrees with, and we all strive to achieve
effective cooperation and coordination at all times. However,
with such diversity, what cooperation and coordination means
in practical terms is subject to a certain degree of interpretation.
Certainly, it has proven difficult to find a clear understanding
of the concept, and to develop effective guidelines to facilitate
cooperation, including mechanisms for monitoring and follow-up
when we don't coordinate well. The International Federation
is currently discussing a new policy on cooperation that attempts
to respond to some of these concerns. We are also engaged
in a long-term process of reflection on identifying the internal
and external trends that affect our work, in order to define
how the International Federation needs to adapt and evolve
to be ready to face the future. The issue of cooperation and
coordination will undoubtedly be discussed as part of this
process. In the meantime, it is essential to maintain an open
dialogue based on mutual respect in order to resolve these
types of problems.
|
|
Jean-François Berger et Jean Milligan |
|
|
|
Top | Contact
Us | Credits | Previous
issue | Webmaster
| © 2003 | Copyright
|
|
