№ 25 January—June 2010
THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION, BELARUS, MOLDOVA AND UKRAINE
IHL Competition Monument to International 'The Road to Peace' Henry Dunant Tracing Service Exhibition
KYRGYZSTAN: ASSISTANCE FROM THE VERY FIRST DAYS
In the early morning hours of 11 June 2010 inter ethnic tensions started in the south of Kyrgyzstan. Hundreds of people were killed, over a thousand — wounded, many houses were burned down and looted. The Kyrgyz authorities acknow ledged the deaths of almost 900 people in the clashes. About a hundred thousand people fled the violence to neighbouring Uzbekistan. Humanitarian situation in the south of Kyrgyzstan was qualified as an Ducruet © ICRC/Pierre Emmanuel emergency.
Provision of necessary assistance to medical facilities was the International Committee of the Red Cross's (ICRC) first task. The ICRC in conjunction with the Red Crescent Society of Kyrgyzstan started supplying requisite medicines and medical materials to hospitals straight from the outset of clashes. The next step was delivering to the region necessary Distribution of humanitarian aid materials for the provision of emergency medical aid, foodstuffs, tents, basic Besides family reunification activity, the There is no doubt that it will be still a necessities. ICRC planes delivered aid to organization also provides to the authori long time before people are going to Kyrgyzstan and also to Uzbekistan where ties recommendations about how to get back to living as normal. The events a flood of refugees streamed. A week ensure careful handling of human left a deep mark on people, and the after the start of the clashes food distribu remains, which allows for the subsequent authorities face a very difficult task of tions already started. procedure of remains identification. handling possible indignation and eth nic disunity. Conducting humanitarian The organization also took necessary In late June the President of the ICRC activities in such conditions requires steps to gain access to all persons Jakob Kellenberger made a one day visit acting with great delicacy. The ICRC will detained in relation to violence. Food to Kyrgyzstan where he met Rosa continue its humanitarian operations in parcels were distributed to a thousand Otunbayeva, acting as the Interim the country. At present the supply of detainees kept in detention facilities in President of the country during the tran food and hygiene items into the region Osh and Jalalabad. Another important line sition period and the representatives of is continuing. The organization will also of work of the organization is restoring the local authorities in the city of Osh. broaden its dialogue with law enforce links between separated members of The ICRC President discussed with rep ment bodies with a view to ensuring families and clarifying the fate of the mis resentatives of the authorities humani compliance with international standards sing. Experience shows that after the end tarian consequences of past armed related to the use of force in situations of clashes many people are in the dark clashes and asked that the ICRC be of internal disturbances. about the fate of their loved ones, which granted access to all persons detained in causes enormous suffering to them. connection with the recent events. Continued on page 2 INTERVIEW
KYRGYZSTAN: ASSISTANCE FROM THE VERY FIRST DAYS
Continued from assistance to hospitals and to victims. A month after the beginning of the page 1 Three days later airplanes with humani clashes: tarian cargo started to arrive from our Today we talk to bases in Amman, Dubai and Kabul. All 250, 000 people — two week rations one of the staff in all, 15 airplanes arrived delivering to of flour and vegetable oil members of the the affected area medicines, foodstuffs 45, 000 people — household items ICRC Moscow and non food aid for the population of 15, 500 people — access to clean Regional Dele Kyrgyzstan. Every day the number of water gation — Pierre staff increased by 4 5 persons. Two 20 medical institutions — needed Emmanuel Ducruet who had left for weeks after the onset of the conflict in medicines and medical materials Kyrgyzstan virtually straight after the Osh there were already 50 representa Additional budget: US $25 mln beginning of the armed clashes. tives of the ICRC working. It was Overall budget: US $35.5 impressive. No. of staff: 120 How speedily did the ICRC react to the events in Kyrgyzstan? What was the security situation like? On the night of 11 June, when every During the first week of our work in the How do you assess the effectiveness thing started, there were only two peo region the security issue was an acute of such measures? ple in our office in Osh. The ICRC one. There was chaos reigning every It is difficult to assess the effectiveness of immediately started to take steps in where. Most of the territories in the south such measures but the fact remains that order to immediately send to the south of Kyrgyzstan were not controlled. This is during the crisis we were able to work of Kyrgyzstan its staff from other dele why it was very important to explain our without trouble. We were not held up at gations. On the 12 13 of June there humanitarian mission to the population. checkpoints. We did not have a single inci were already more than ten people in The situation being what it was we had no dent related to the threat to our security. It Osh. It was already the ninth time this opportunity to act via official power struc is hard to say what exactly was the reason kind of a rapid response system ture — but to act — and act fast — what for such a situation but I think the steps we devised by the ICRC was used. The something we needed to do. In particular, took also had a role to play — everyone most important thing is the speed of in order to get access to the population got the information. Even our staff and the reaction. The quicker assistance is we needed to tell about who we are and myself received text messages. This was a provided the greater are the chances of what we do. And it goes without saying very large scale operation which helped reducing the negative consequences that it was necessary to explain the need the ICRC to work safely in the crisis zone. to a minimum. As early as two days to respect the Red Cross and Red after the onset of the crisis a structure Crescent emblems, because on 11 June What made the deepest impression was put in place on the ground which an ambulance car was attacked. We on you? enabled us to conduct full scale activi decided to use modern means of com On the first day as we were driving from ty. We received containers with all the munication. For the first time the ICRC Bishkek to Jalalabad local residents' cars necessary equipment as well as medical used text messages as a means of getting started joining our convoy. We stopped supplies in order to provide speedier information across to the population. We two kilometres short of the city because approached two we saw that Jalalabad was on fire. During companies provi this stop I got out to speak to the people ding mobile phone who were following us. They said in so services in the many words that they were frightened region, and they but knew that with the Red Cross they agreed to assist us. were safe. It was very clear proof of the A short message was fact that the Red Cross is not a mere written and sent to emblem, that it is of great importance to all subscribers on the people who are not familiar with offi that territory. We also cial documents concerning the emblem, used the opportuni have not read articles of international ties offered by the treaties but feel that the Red Cross means television and radio — protection. It is good to read about it in short communica books but when you see it with your own tions about our eyes and hear it with your own ears, it has humanitarian mis a stronger impact and is better than any © ICRC/Pierre Emmanuel Ducruet sion and the need to article of the Geneva Conventions. respect the emblems The ICRC plane delivers humanitarian aid were broadcast. Interviewed by Galina Balzamova
2 CROSSROAD № 25 ICRC IN BELARUS
COMMEMORATING THE IDEA OF HUMANISM
The 8th of May is celebrated all over book Humanity in War: Frontline the world as the Red Cross and Red Photography covers the period from Crescent Day. In 2010, in the 1860 to present time. The photos Republic of Belarus, several events are presenting such events of the have been held to mark this day. On world history as the First and the the 7th of May, a statue of Henry Second World Wars, Arab Israeli con Dunant, the Founding Father of the flicts, Spanish Civil War, events in International Red Cross and Red Ethiopia, Salvador, and Iraq. During all Crescent Movement, was erected in a these conflicts, the photographer mini park in the centre of the coun was a constant presence, preserving try's capital. On the same day, the moments of courage, dignity, de Humanity in War photo exhibition was fiance and hope amidst pain and suf inaugurated. It was jointly organised fering. The exhibition also traces the © ICRC/Galina Balzamova by the International Committee of the evolution of the ICRC since its incep Red Cross (ICRC) and the Belarusian tion. Finally, it aspires to remind all of Visitors at the exhibition Red Cross Society (BRSC). us of the importance of exercising our humanity. Humanity in War burst into peaceful Like the exhibition, the small statue in Minsk from the photos made both by These recorded images of past history a mini park in the centre of professional photographers and by make those who see them forget the Belarusian capital symbolises huma ICRC personnel. The 42 photos on hustle and bustle of the day and feel nity in its fullness. One hundred years display show manifestations of profoundly the power of a human after the death of the great humanist humanity and compassion amidst suf being capable of both destroying and Henry Dunant, his ideas live on in fering and pain. saving lives. Over thousands of years, human hearts, and it was once again wars have brought about sorrows and proved by the opening of a monu Humanity in War is a photographic suffering, but there have always been ment to him. The bust of Henry record of warfare over the last 150 people ready to stand up against cruel Dunant was sculptured at the initia years from the American Civil War to ty and to provide assistance against all tive of the Belarusian Red Cross the conflicts of the early 21st centu odds. It is this aspect of the human Society. The solemn opening cere ry. The selection of images from the being that the exhibition is to hold up. mony was attended by Francs ois Bellon, Head of the ICRC regional delegation in the Russian Federation, Belarus, Moldova, and Ukraine; Victor Kolbanov, Secretary General of the BRSC; Victor Golovanov, Minister of Justice of the Republic of Belarus; Nikolay Ladutko, acting mayor of Minsk; the sculptor Oleg Kupriyanov, and others.
'I find it symbolic that the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Day is celebrated on the eve of the Day of Victory over Nazism. I am happy to be in Belarus on these specific days. The Republic of Belarus suffered very much in the conflicts of the last century, and this is perhaps the reason why the ideas of humanism are so highly appreciated here. The monument that we have opened today in the very centre of Minsk symbolises exactly these © ICRC/Galina Balzamova © ICRC/Galina Balzamova ideas', said Francsois Bellon, Head of the ICRC delegation. Head of the ICRC Delegation Head of the ICRC Delegation places flowers to Henry Dunant's Francs ois Bellon and the sculptor Monument Oleg Kupriyanov Galina Balzamova
CROSSROAD № 25 3 ICRC IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
NEWS FROM THE FIELD
Day 1 Magnifica. The participants urgently of Defence to try to persuade him to Early in the morning of 26 April 2010, check her words to see if they are in treat prisoners of war according to the representatives of the International conformity with IHL rules. letter of the law without drawing a dis Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) tinction between friend or foe. and the Russian Association of This is followed by a meeting with Count Intensive discussions go on. The dele International Law, and students from Gaius Julius of Latia, head of Latian gates have to defend their right to twelve universities of Armenia, Belarus, rebels. It is not only the problems of the conduct visits on the conditions that Moldova, Russia and Ukraine find it use of force that need solving. There are are prescribed by the ICRC mandate. hard to sleep. War is about to break out. some other complicated issues. How Law students who have gone through do you address a count, for instance? Day 4 the hardships of the selective tests and 'Your Lordship' or 'Your Grace'? By the last day of the competition, all managed to surpass their rivals from the participants are nearly exhausted. other applicant universities, The jury rules that the are now facing the frontline strongest teams are of the 13th Martens those of the Moscow Competition on interna State Law Academy and tional humanitarian law. the School of Inter national Relations of After they get acquainted T. Shevchenko Kiev State with the disposition, they University. They meet will have the first official each other in the final meeting with the command round. This is going to be of the competition and will a hard battle. Facing their get to know each other bet rivals in a live television ter. The operation code broadcast of Yakhont named 'Teams Presentation' Show, they have to © ICRC/Galina Balzamova is a success. Having prove they are right received maps and general Participants to the competition about issues of the use of information on the situation methods and means of in the Olympia region, the participants Day 3 warfare during a conflict, in front of a go back to their headquarters to The morning comes too early. large audience that consists of both the design their strategy. They spend the Everyone would rather sleep a little jury and all the other competition par first evening over it. The conclusions longer, but in wartime this is a luxury ticipants who are watching the discus are pessimistic. In the state of which even the Queen cannot afford. sion closely. The tension is mounting Magnifica a conflict is brewing up. In The planned meetings cannot be with every question asked by the au one of its regions — Latia — bellicose cancelled. Having donned the royal dience or by the moderator. Voices are feelings are on the rise. Violence is mantle and covered her shoulders failing. Hands begin to tremble. At the beginning to flare up. with an ermine neckpiece, she enters last ditch, the Moscow State Law the audience room. Delegations Academy team is ahead of its rivals by Day 2 come and go, one after another. The centiseconds. To find out who was the Hostilities in Magnifica are developing Queen's hand is red from kisses. first, the jury has to use photofinish. very fast. The situation is heating up. Especially persistent petitioners The participants are summoned by the manage to attain their goals and to Finally, when all the spears have been Secretary General of the Organisation persuade the Queen to temper jus broken, the peace treaty has been of the Countries of Olympia. He needs tice with mercy. concluded and the photofinish has to know exactly what is going on in the shown the result, the time has come region. The teams, having at their dis It seems that a peace treaty is about to for prize giving. The Moscow State posal several official documents, news be concluded and all IHL problems Law Academy team gets both the items and correspondence of two are going to be solved, but it comes to winner's cup and the best speaker lovers, are trying hard to unravel the light that the leadership of Thanatos prize won by Maria Gavrilova. Besides imbroglio of the conflict. treats prisoners of war cruelly and participant certificates, all the students keeps them in unsatisfactory condi also got the skills of practical applica And then, Queen Bellatirissa of tions which is against the rules of tion of IHL rules, found new friends Magnifica makes an official declaration Geneva Convention III. and take back home good memories. in which she calls on her people to The jury noted the very high level of wage a merciless war on the popula The students are warming to the role students' knowledge. tion of Latia and the troops of of ICRC delegates and go to an official Thanatos that invaded the territory of meeting with the Thanatosian Minister Galina Balzamova
4 CROSSROAD № 25 ICRC IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
DEJA ` VU
Three years ago an ICRC filming crew ly built, still smelling of building mate two fingers are missing. 'How did it came to the Chechen Republic to rials. Later, talking to us Taisa said that happen?' we asked her. 'I got lost in make on the spot a film featuring the over the three previous years she had thought, forgot to remove my hand in work of the organisation. One of the never stopped doing woolwork. time, and it was drawn inside with a subjects of the film was the micro piece of wool', she answered. 'I feel this economic projects programme. One 'This is the only income that our family pain from time to time even now, but it of them — a handicraft micro pro has, apart from my husband's disability can't be helped, I have to work.' Taisa ject — seemed to us especially inte pension', said Taisa, 'and we have two falls silent. We are in a room where resting. The woman's name was Taisa, children'. 'But how have you managed there is no furniture save for two arm two months before the filming she to build a house?' — 'Our relatives — chairs and a small table. Taisa notices had received a wool carding machine mine and my husband's — helped us. my glance and says: 'So much needs to and had already started working. The This is the tenth time we moved house. be done here. People used to begin film came out under the title I hope it's the last one', she says smiling. building a house by making a base Chechnya — Reborn from the Ashes, Taisa is telling us how, during the war, ment. It's because of war, they thought it was shown on TV abroad. Recently, they moved to and from Ingushetia. they needed a shelter from explosions. as we were sorting out our discs, we They wanted to stay at home, but the But when we started building this found it by chance. We watched it children were frightened by the sound house we did not even think of the again, we remembered… And we of shooting and explosions, and they basement as of a shelter. We did not became curious: how are things now fled again to the neighbouring republic. want to. We want to forget all those bad with these people whom we filmed It was there that she began to work things, as if they had never happened. three years ago, how are they living, wool. Therefore, when she came back We want a quiet life, like now, we want are their projects working? to Chechnya and found out that she to work and bring up our children'. could lodge a project application with The next day we went to Taisa. She the ICRC, she did not have to think long I look at her and see an ordinary used to live with her family at their what sort of business plan she could woman, like hundreds of other friends' place, because her own write. She asked for a carding machine. Chechen women; her family, also, like house was destroyed by war and then She got it in 2007 and still uses it. 'I am hundreds of other Chechen families, by floods that happened in Chechnya lost without it', says the woman. went through all the wartime hard in 2003. When we arrived at the old Sometimes I work two days a week ships. Her face is calm and peaceful. address, people told us that Taisa's and get three thousand. The average No spite, no bitterness… Humility, family moved to another house and income per month is about twelve wisdom, some tiredness. As if there explained to us how we could find thousand. At first, of course, there were had been no war… Taisa offers us tea, her. But Taisa was not at the new place fewer customers. We have moved but we need to go. We say our good either. Taxi drivers that were standing again, so things will be quiet for a while. byes. 'When we finish the house, nearby told us that the woman who But as soon as people find out where come and have shashlik with us', she worked wool moved to another I live I'll get enough work again. But not shouts after us. 'Of course', we smile place three days ago, to a house of all has been so well and nice over those in response. Why not? It's quite pro her own. After some searching, we years. Taisa shows me her hand and bable that we'll meet again. finally found our former beneficiary. says: 'The machine has cut off my fin Taisa invited us to her house — fresh gers'. Indeed, the upper phalanges of Leila Satueva
© ICRC/Leila Satueva © ICRC/ Leila Satueva
Taisa at work. 2007 Taisa at work. 2010
CROSSROAD № 25 5 ICRC IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
65 YEARS — NOT SUCH A LONG TIME AFTER ALL?
There is not a war that has left no trace In 1955 the International Tracing The ITS provides information behind it. People die, cities are Service (ITS) started working in Bad about the following categories of destroyed. After the end of a war the Arolsen, Germany. Its main mission is individuals: survivors mourn the dead, restore assisting ex victims of the Nazi buildings and begin a new life. regime. Its activity is supervised by an • Germans and persons of other However amid the destruction International Commission which nationalities who were imprisoned wreaked by war, in the middle of includes representatives of 11 mem in Nazi concentration or labour escaping from blasts, leaving homes, ber states while the International camps or other detention facilities fighting on the front line there always Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is in 1933 — 1945; remain those whose fates are tasked with the administration of this unknown — the missing. organization. • The Holocaust victims; • Individuals of various nationalities The ITS has archive documents con (who did not have German citizen taining information about the persons ship) who were forced labourers on who became prisoners of Nazi con the territory of the Third Reich dur centration camps and labour camps; ing the Second World War; about the Germans who were forced to leave their homes during the Second • children (this category refers to those World War. The Central Archive con persons who had not reached 18 tains over 50 million index cards with years of age by the time of the end of information related to over 17.5 million the Second World War) of those per individuals who were persecuted by sons who belong to the above cate Nazis. Other documents containing gories, who were forcibly displaced personal data of victims of the Second or separated from their parents as a World War take up the space equiva result of the Second World War. lent to 27 kilometres on shelves.
In 2007 the International Commission appear. Due to this, unique docu © ITS supervising the ITS recognized the ments stored in Bad Arolsen will play a need for opening up the archives for decisive role in the research of this Personal files from ITS archives research purposes and took a histori dark chapter of human history. In pa cal decision to grant to the public rallel the ITS will carry on with its usual The scale of the Second World War is access to the archives. In the coming tasks related to providing information still unparalleled in history. This is pre years the opportunity to get evidence to surviving victims of Nazi persecu cisely why even sixty five years down about the events dating back to the tions and their family members for as the line the fates of many of its victims Second World War directly from the long as requests to this effect are are still unknown. victims of Nazi persecutions will dis forthcoming from them.
© ITS © ITS
ITS catalogue In the archives of International Tracing Service
6 CROSSROAD № 25 ICRC IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
In 2010 the ITS What can you say about the activities long time because they feared the visited Russia of your Service reflected in statistics? political regime or for other reasons. twice and Ukraine Could you quote some interesting Even after so many years new biogra once, aiming to figures? phy details keep coming up. For broaden the instance, in 2009 we received a larger scope of its acti About 60 70% of requests sent to the number of requests than in 2008. vities in Eastern ITS get a positive response, which Another reason for that, aside from the Europe. A visit to means that tracing was successful, i.e. ones I have mentioned, is that there Belarus is scheduled for autumn of information about the person being are people for whom it is important to 2010. Mr. Blondel, the Director of the traced was found. The number of know their family history — and of ITS, answered a few questions of requests peaked in the 1990s when course, the documents kept in our Perekrestok's reporter in the course of the German government took a deci archives are of unique value for histori his visit to Russia in early 2010. sion to pay compensations to Nazi cal research of the National Socialism victims. The overall number of phenomenon. Jean Luc Blondel of Switzerland has requests processed by the ITS over background in Theology. He has been the time is about 12 mln. During their visit to Russia ITS repre educated at the Universities of sentatives met the directorate of the .. Lausanne, Gottingen, Washington, Sixty five years have already elapsed Federal Archives of the Russian Mr. Blondel has been with the since the end of the Second World Federation; with the Chief of International Committee of the Red War. With every year the number of Directorate of Memorialization of Cross since 1982. After serving on people who can be helped by the Fallen Defenders of the Motherland, missions in El Salvador, Argentina, information contained in the archive the RF Ministry of Defence; with Israel Mr. Blondel worked in the documents goes down dramatically. heads of the Holocaust and ICRC's Headquarters in Geneva — his Does the work of the ITS really remain Memorial; with representatives of the 'file' was a programme of cooperation relevant? Tracing and Information Centre of the with National Red Cross Societies. Russian Red Cross. In Ukraine the ITS Currently he is the Director of the Paradoxical as it may seem, so far the had meetings with the organizations International Tracing Service. staff of our Service cannot say that dealing with issues related to Nazi their workload has shrunk. If seen from archives from the Second World War What is the purpose of your visit to the point of view of human nature, it times, with representatives of various Russia? can be due to the fact that many peo ministries and departments and the ple start telling stories which they have Tracing Service of the Ukrainian Red Well, first of all, we would like to tell never touched upon before only in Cross Society. about the International Tracing Service the evening of their lives. Many of and offer our services. If we look at the those people whose lives were in one To find out more about the International number of the Second World War vic way or another affected by the Second Tracing Service or to submit a request tims among people from the ex USSR World War might have concealed please go to the organisation's site: and compare it with the number of some facts from their relatives for a http://www.its arolsen.org. requests we receive from this region, the latter is disproportionally small. So we arrived at the conclusion that we needed to speak about our Service in the ex USSR countries so that people would know they can approach us. Recently we opened a Russian lan guage version of our site containing information about our Service. It pro vides, inter alia, information about the categories of individuals who can approach us and about the procedure for submitting a request.
In addition we are interested in long term academic cooperation with Russian organizations. Archive mate rials we can provide are interesting from the historical point of view. In 2007 the archives were opened up to the general public — now every per son wishing to do so can view the archive documents and even photo © ITS copy them.
CROSSROAD № 25 7 ICRC WORLDWIDE
WHEN THE GROUND SHOOK
On 12 January 2010 the capital of webpage was created on Haiti Port au Prince and its adjacent the Internet so that peo areas were destroyed by an extremely ple could leave requests powerful earthquake. Hundreds of for tracing of their family thousands of people were killed and members or communi wounded, millions lost shelter and cate to their near and means of subsistence. The interna dear ones that they are tional community urgently mobilized alive and well. ICRC staff its resources to assist the victims. also visited detainees and provided consulta The day after the disaster the tions to Haiti authorities International Committee of Red Cross on the issues related to (ICRC) joined the efforts of its partners collecting information © ICRC in the Red Cross and Red Crescent about the dead and Movement. The ICRC was active in proper handling of Several days after the earthquake many areas of work, inter alia. provi remains. ding medical assistance, supplying food and drinking water to the popu Six months after the earthquake the corated with the Florence Nightingale lation, addressing sanitation problems, ICRC bestowed distinctions on three Medals — distinctions bestowed on providing people with construction outstanding healthcare workers for nurses and volunteers working in the materials to enable them to build tem their courage and fidelity to princi areas of armed conflict and natural porary shelter, establishing the fates of ples of humanity in emergency. disasters. The award ceremony will the missing and working on restoring Michelle Colan, Germaine Pierre take place in Port au Prince in August family links, with which end in view a Louis, and Jude Selonge will be de 2010.
NEW CONDITIONS OF GAZA BLOCKADE
rating already difficult the economic situation in the region living conditions in as a whole. the region. The opportunities for eco The ICRC also hopes that measures nomic development taken by Israel with a view to changing were reduced to zero, the blockade conditions in the Gaza which doomed the Strip will facilitate delivery of requisite population of the medical equipment to the region and region to unemploy will enable the medical personnel to ment and poverty, travel outside Gaza for career with the quality of enhancement purposes. healthcare provided © ICRC to the population Maintaining its permanent presence in dropping to an Israel and in the occupied Palestinian unprecedented level. territories the ICRC provides medical The blocked road in Bei Khanun village on the and surgical materials for hospitals, in West Bank In this context, the particular the Gaza ones, so that the ICRC welcomes the wounded and the sick can receive On 5 July 2010 Israel issued an decision of the Israeli authorities to medical assistance and their lives can official statement the content of ease the blockade of Gaza. These be saved. which can make the lives of civilians measures can be regarded as the living in the Gaza Strip considerably first step towards complete lifting of The ICRC is rehabilitating hospital easier. restrictions, which is necessary for infrastructure and water supply system restoring family links, meeting the in Gaza as well as improving the still The blockade of Gaza was intro needs of the healthcare system, tense water supply situation in the set duced over three years ago, deterio education system and normalizing tlements in the Western Bank.
8 CROSSROAD № 25 ICRC WORLDWIDE
KIDNAPPED AND RELEASED
Since autumn 2009, there have been such a long time. 'I had to look and three incidents involving kidnapping focus on the day of my release. I was of ICRC staff members working in in a place where I could only see Africa. Fortunately, all these cases emptiness; skies, plains and hills. ended happily with our colleagues' I knew that my ICRC colleagues release. would not forget me. That they were
working hard to get me released. © ICRC/ S. Dabbakeh Gauthier Lefe`vre, taken hostage on 22 I had a piece of cardboard paper on October 2009 in eastern Chad, spent which I wrote sayings which helped a long 147 days in captivity. This kid me to pull through. The most impor napping has become the longest of a tant thing for me was to make it series of kidnappings of humanitarian through the day until nightfall. Before workers in Darfur. that, I never thought that I could to Laurent Maurice, three days lerate so many. I would like to Upon release Gauthier told his col extend my sincerest thanks to all my after his release leagues how he managed to cope colleagues in the ICRC who worked for such a long time when he was very hard to get me released and to profession. People affected by armed deprived of liberty and kept in the all those who expressed solidarity conflict who need protection and condition of a constant wait during and sent a message of encourage assistance have nothing to do with ment. My thanks also go to everyone the kidnappers. I chose to work in the in the Sudanese government and humanitarian field in order to help authorities who worked hard for my people.' release.' Volker Pabst and seven local staff Lauren Maurice was kidnapped in members of the ICRC were held eastern Chad on 9 November 2009. hostage by a Mai Mai armed group in He spent 89 days in captivity. Three South Kivu Province of the Democratic days after his release he gave an Republic of Congo for a week.
© ICRC/N. Aguirre Zimerman © ICRC/N. Aguirre interview to an ICRC staff member. Fortunately they have been released 'For a start, I can laugh out loud now,' already in a week after being kid he responded to the question about napped. how he was feeling. 'Expressing myself during captivity was not easy, The ICRC is reminding that taking civi as I was not supposed to attract lians hostage is in contravention of attention. Regarding my future plans international humanitarian law norms, I don't think that this kidnapping will and that capture of representatives of Gauthier, the day after regaining influence them — I've always known humanitarian organizations renders his freedom, in the garden of the that the work in a humanitarian difficult their work aimed at assisting ICRC delegation in Khartoum organizations is my vocation and my conflict victims.
CONVENTION ON CLUSTER MUNITIONS
The entry into force of the Implementing the convention will ture in Oslo clearly demonstrates the Convention on Cluster Munitions on require the mobilization of resources to strong commitment of the States 1 August 2010 is a major step clear contaminated areas, destroy Parties, and their collective will to towards putting an end to the terrible stockpiles, and provide assistance for begin addressing the humanitarian suffering those weapons have those whose lives have been adversely problems caused by these weapons. caused for decades. The convention affected by cluster munitions. It will also prohibits the use, production, stock require the adoption of domestic laws From 8 to 12 November 2010, the piling and transfer of cluster muni and regulations to ensure that the con States Parties will gather in Vientiane, tions. From 1 August onwards, the vention is enforced at national level. Laos, to establish an action plan for provisions of the treaty will be legally implementing the convention and to binding on the 30 States that have The entry into force only 21 months decide on procedures for regular ratified it. after the treaty was opened for signa monitoring of the progress achieved.
CROSSROAD № 25 9 ICRC IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
FACTS AND FIGURES
PROTECTION ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
In accordance with its mandate and The ICRC is supporting micro eco In the medical field, the ICRC is as a neutral, impartial and inde nomic initiatives (MEI) which give focusing on training support for pendent humanitarian organization, the opportunity to start small family medical personnel working in sur the ICRC pursued its dialogue on business in the field of agriculture, gery and traumatology wards, as the missing persons' issue. The crafts, livestock, trade or services, well as in emergency aid services in ICRC's objectives are to raise aware thus increasing the self sufficiency the republics of the northern ness of the humanitarian problem of the household. Caucasus. and to ensure the families' right to know the fate of their loved ones — From January until May 2010, 245 From January until June 2010, five nur a fundamental provision of interna families (1'284 persons) in Chechnya ses from Chechnya and North Ossetia tional humanitarian law and human and 18 families (86 persons) in attended a certification course at the rights law. Ingushetia received the necessary Rostov on Don Training Centre for equipment to start a small family busi medical staff. From January to May 2010, 107 eco ness. nomically vulnerable families of missing In April 2010, an Emergency Room have received approval for their applica Trauma Course run by the ICRC in col tions for an ICRC micro economic pro WATER AND HABITAT laboration with the North Ossetian State ject that can help them improve their Medical Academy (NOSMA) was orga economic situation. 57 vulnerable rela The ICRC continues supporting the nised for 21 specialists from the tives of missing persons identified by the rehabilitation and repairs of water republics of the northern Caucasus. The ICRC are now being supported by the supply and sanitation facilities to supervisors from Belarus and Abkhazia Russian Red Cross home nurses visit improve the living conditions of the were in attendance. programme. population in Chechnya. The ICRC maintains a contingency stock In the framework of its protection In January February 2010, a monitoring of drugs and consumables that allows program the ICRC continues to sup of the current situation of the water pro the institution to quickly react and sup port financially families to visit their jects implemented by the ICRC between port health facilities in case of massive detained relatives who are serving 2006 and 2009 was carried out. influx of wounded. From January until their sentences in penitentiary June 2010, four emergency kits were colonies across the Russian From 16 March to 15 April 2010, provided to the hospitals in Ingushetia Federation. During the period from wathab and general assessments were and Daghestan. January until May 2010, 151 carried out in 29 villages located in the detainees were visited by their fami southern part of Chechnya, followed by Six hospitals in Chechnya received one lies with the ICRC support. The fami several meetings with concerned offi off supply of drugs and consumables to lies who are not able to visit their cial structures, aimed at getting a better boost their stocks. detained relatives can benefit from general understanding of the functio the parcel programme. From January ning of the "public water" sector in the This figure don't cover the major part of to May 2010, 119 families were republic, responsibilising the authori June, as we have the nurses in Rostov assisted with parcels. Vulnerable fami ties in charge and preparing an advoca and the figure given may grow up during lies of detainees can also apply for a cy report to be submitted to them the last week, the same for the emer micro economic project — 60 such shortly. gency kits distribution. requests were approved during the period from January until May 2010.
The ICRC offers its Tracing and Red Cross Message service to restore fa mily links. Those who are separated from their families and are living out side of the northern Caucasus or abroad as well as people detained in connection with the situation in the northern Caucasus can benefit from this programme. During the period © ICRC/Timur Ibakov © ICRC from January until May 2010, 16 Red Cross messages were collected and The ICRC delegate talks to a MEP Emergency room trauma course 32 distributed. beneficiary
10 CROSSROAD № 25 ICRC IN THE RF, BELARUS, MOLDOVA AND UKRAINE
COOPERATION WITH present risk due to weapon contami the 15th anniversary of the ICRC action nation are supported to develop safer in the Chechen Republic; THE RUSSIAN activities through micro economic ini RED CROSS tiatives (MEI). So far 124 proposed 75 trainees from the Centre of projects have been approved and 22 Professional Training of the Ministry of The ICRC supports various assis projects started. Interior of the Republic of Ingushetia par tance programs carried out by local ticipated in as two day seminar on IHL. branches of the Russian Red Cross (RRC) in Chechnya, Daghestan, INTERNATIONAL During the period from January until Ingushetia, Kabardino Balkaria and June 2010, the ICRC in conjunction North Ossetia Alania. HUMANITARIAN LAW with the Russian Federation Ministry of Defence participated in: In three republics of the northern Promotion of international humani Caucasus the ICRC supports the Home tarian law (IHL) with the authorities, Three Senezh courses on interna Visiting Nurses Program (HVNP) of the armed and security forces and civil tional humanitarian law in the Moscow RCC Branches. 87 supported RRC nur society, including secondary schools region for 59 participants in total, ses are regularly taking care of 1043 and universities, is a key component including officers of the Ministry of elderly people. All HVNP beneficiaries in of ICRC programs. Defence and Interior Troops; Chechnya, Ingushetia and Daghestan receive food parcels and hygienic kits. International Moot Court IHL Four lectures and one seminar on IHL 59 HVNP beneficiaries in Chechnya Competition for 36 students of law for 800 officers and officer trainees of enjoy psycho social support of the faculties from the leading universities military educational institutions and nurses trained for this purpose. of Armenia, Belarus, Moldova, Russia military faculties of civil universities in and Ukraine took place in April 2010 in Kazan. Moscow region;
Student teams of two Russian universi ICRC IN BELARUS, ties took part in the international J. Pictet MOLDOVA AND UKRAINE IHL competition held in Canada; Belarus Two IHL lectures were delivered for 200 students of Moscow State Law The official ceremony of the unveiling Academy and French University the monument to Henry Dunant took © ICRC College; place on May 7, 2010 in Minsk with some 200 people taking part — repre First aid training Two IHL seminars were organized for sentatives of the Ministry of Foreign 25 students of the Law Faculty in Affairs, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of The ICRC supports the programme of first Grozny State University and for 40 stu Defence of the Republic of Belarus aid training for the population carried out dents of the Law Faculty in Daghestan among them. by the regional RRC branches in the State University. Chechen Republic, Ingushetia, Kabardino Some 800 people visited the exhibition Balkaria and North Ossetia Alania. Around Some 200 people visited the exhibi 'Humanity in War' disposed in Minsk. 1500 persons went through the first aid tion "The Road to Peace" dedicated to course in all four republics. The fifth international Olympiad on IHL 'Youth for Peace' for 18 student teams From June until November 2009, about from 15 countries took place in Belarus 320 children have regularly visited six with the ICRC support. RRC playrooms in Chechnya and Ingushetia. Ukraine Deputy Director of the Institute of WEAPON International Relations of Taras Shevchenko Kyiv National University
CONTAMINATION © ICRC/ Leila Satueva took part in the seminar on humanita rian policy and conflict research in Vulnerable families living in the areas Students of Chechen State Harvard University, USA with the sup where traditional economic activities University at the IHL seminar port of the ICRC.
The budget of the ICRC in the Russian Federation for 2010 is 16,46 million Swiss franks. Out of this, 9,8 million covers the operations in the northern Caucasus and 6,7 million goes to the regional delegation in Moscow. Delegation staff in the Russian Federation is 270 employees.
CROSSROAD № 25 11 ICRC IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
THE ROAD TO PEACE IN GROZNY
On 1 July 2010, a photo exhibition dedi hospitals, provision of clean drinking cated to the 15th anniversary of the pre water and much else are now a thing of sence of the International Committee of the past. The times are changing. Sorrow the Red Cross (ICRC) in the Chechen and despair are replaced by joy and faith Republic opened in Grozny. The name of in the future. Even through scorched the exhibition — The Road to Peace — earth, a green shoot is growing, thanks reflects a 15 year long journey that the to care and patience, as a testimony of © Timur Ibakov/ICRC international organisation has made life and well being. together with the Chechen people. This exhibition is an attempt to remind The 50 photos show various moments everybody, including oneself, that there of the Committee's activities in is always a space for humanity. You just chronological order. need to realise that, trust in your own strenghth and move forward, helping Large scale relief distributions, delive and supporting those who need help The Little Prince play staged by ries of medicines and equipment to most of all. the Chechen Drama Theatre
© ICRC
An ICRC delegate is visiting a hospital in Grozny.1995
© Leyla Satuyeva/ICRC © ICRC
Grozny, 2010 Chechen Republic. 1995
ICRC MISSION STATEMENT ICRC DELEGATION IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION, OFFICE IN KYIV, UKRAINE BELARUS, MOLDOVA AND UKRAINE 01030, Kyiv, Bogdana Khmelnitskogo str., 68, of. 64 Moscow, 129090 Grokholsky per., 13, build.1 tel.: (380 44) 246 43 18/19 fax: (380 44) 235 45 96 The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is tel.: (495) 626 54 26, fax: (495) 564 84 31 E mail: [email protected] an impartial, neutral and independent organisation E mail: [email protected] whose exclusively humanitarian mission is to protect www.icrc.org/rus The author's opinion may not reflect the official position the lives and dignity of victims of armed conflict and NALCHIK of the ICRC. The materials for this issue are prepared by other situations of violence and to provide them with 360004, Mechieva str., 207 E. Dolgikh, L. Satueva, G. Balzamova. ICRC news assistance. The ICRC also endeavours to prevent suf tel.: (8662) 442341, fax: (8662) 442307 releases are also used in the issue. The photos by fering by promoting and strengthening humanitarian GROZNY T. Ibakov, L. Satueva, G. Balzamova, Pierre Emmanuel law and universal humanitarian principles. Established 364000, Yanvarskaya str., 83 Ducruet and from the ICRC and ITS archives. in 1863, the ICRC is at the origin of the International Red tel.: (8712) 223128 © ICRC, 2010. All rights reserved. The reference to the Cross and Red Crescent Movement. It directs and coor KHASSAVYURT dinates the international relief activities conducted by 368000, Proletarskaya str., 86 edition is obligatory in case of reprinting any material. the Movement in armed conflicts and other situations of tel.: (8723) 109253, 8 928 2406384 violence. NAZRAN CROSSROADS 366720, Nuradilova str., 49 ICRC INFORMATION BULLETIN tel.: (8732) 228498, 222415 Format 60х84/8. Ofset printing. 500 copies. VLADIKAVKAZ Polygraphic services centre «Rainbow» 362000, Vaso Abaeva str., 26 Moscow, 115280, Avtozavodskaya str., 25 tel.: (8672) 530737, 534670 Tel.: 739 5680, www.raduga print.ru