General Assembly of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies issue 2 Council of Delegates of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement 29th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Geneva, 21 June 2006 daily bulletin Over 1,500 delegates in Geneva for the 29th International Conference anet Davidson, Vice-Chairman of the Standing Commission took the podium on Tuesday morning to declare the 29th J International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent open. She reminded everyone present that they were meeting under the banner of “protecting human dignity”. Jorge Perez/International Federation Human dignity is central to the work of the RCRC Movement, she said. It is central to everything the Movement works for and stands for and is deeply rooted in our Fundamental Principles.

The Vice-Chairman then welcomed volunteers of the Geneva branch of the Swiss Red Cross to read aloud the seven Fundamental Principles, which she said “have been our guide and light”. ■ Humanity Impartiality Janet Davidson, Vice- Neutrality Chairman of the Standing Commission Independence Voluntary Service

Unity Geneva Red Cross volunteer reading one of Universality the seven Fundamental Principles issue 2 - Geneva, 21 June 2006 I page 2 Switzerland calls for focus on humanitarianism

wiss Federal Councillor (foreign tional emblem whose purpose is to minister), Micheline Calmy-Rey strengthen the protection afforded to vic- S praised the Red Cross and Red tims of armed conflicts and ensure the Crescent Movement for its efforts to universality of the Movement,” she said bring “a measure of humanity amidst armed conflict” to the Middle East. Mrs Calmy-Rey noted that since the Jorge Perez/International Federation diplomatic conference, the situation in In a speech at the opening of the the Middle East has worsened and the International Conference, she expressed presence of the Movement is even more her hope that the delegates would bring a necessary to deliver assistance to victims. successful conclusion to the protracted debate on the Movement’s emblems. “This is why the Movement has to remain above political disputes,” she said. “The possibility for National Societies to use a new emblem devoid of religious, But she added that Switzerland is encour- national, political or ethnic connotations aged by the excellent cooperation without undermining the existing demonstrated by the Magen David emblems can only strengthen the protec- Adom and the Palestine Red Crescent tion afforded to all victims of armed con- Swiss Federal Councillor (foreign minister), Society. flicts,” she said. Micheline Calmy-Rey “This sets a fine example of humanitari- She described how Switzerland has and to make the necessary internal an spirit that should inspire us all and always actively supported the changes in a spirit of consensus. proves once again how worthy they are of Movement’s efforts to assist conflict vic- being admitted as full members of the tims. The minister urged the delegates to “It is important to stress here the exclu- International Red Cross and Red focus solely on humanitarian concerns sively humanitarian nature of the addi- Crescent Movement,” she said. ■ Consensus urged

by Conference chair Jorge Perez/International Federation hairman of the Standing He described the operation and member- Commission, Dr Mohammed ship of the Bureau, which will run the C Al-Hadid, assumed the chair of conference, and the sequence of the agen- the International Conference, stating that da. Dr Al-Hadid then explained the three its aim was to reach decisions by consen- elements in the resolution that would be sus. Dr Al-Hadid reminded the delegates put to the conference and invited dele- of their responsibility to comply with the gates who wished to submit amendments Fundamental Principles without engag- to contact Ambassador Strommen, Vice- ing in political, racial, religious or ideo- Chairman of the Conference. ■ logical controversy.

Following questions and points from the floor on legal matters and procedure, the chairman suspended the conference to give time for the Bureau to meet. On resump- tion of the plenary, the chairman read a legal opinion on the legitimacy of the confer- Chairman of the Standing Commission, ence. The reports and debate then continued. Dr Mohammed Al-Hadid issue 2 - Geneva, 21 June 2006 I page 3 Call for Movement to remain united Jorge PereZ/International Federation

mbassador Philippe Cuvillier said the best humanitarian services possible, it to postpone (their membership) because the Red Cross Red Crescent reflects the commitments of these soci- of an adverse environment,” Mr Cuvillier A Movement must remain united eties,” he said. said. in its efforts to amend the Statutes and adopt the resolution. “Since signing this agreement, they have Granting their membership, he said, abided by commitment and have showed would in fact increase their influence to Delivering the report of the Standing resolution and courage. MDA and PRCS defend the rights of victims. Commission, Mr Cuvillier said the have officially requested official member- Movement should be “guided by the ship of the Movement. It would be unjust Mr Cuvillier urged governments at the principle of unity”. conference to remember it was not the same as discussions at other He referred to the Memorandum international organizations. of Understanding between the Israeli national society (Magen “It is not here that we can settle David Adom) and the Palestine conflicts which are not settled Red Crescent: elsewhere,” he said. “Nobody will Jorge Perez/International Federation be a winner or loser…many “This memorandum of under- humanitarian issues are in the standing was signed not between back of our minds. We must two governments but between make sure the Movement remains two national societies to provide united.” ■ issue 2 - Geneva, 21 June 2006 I page 4 Proposed ICRC hospital for Occupied Golan Thierry Gassman/ICRC

President Jakob Kellenberger said its pro- utmost surprise, posal to establish a medical centre in the the local commu- ICRC Occupied Golan Heights would not be nity proposed jeopardised by non-humanitarian concerns. to adjourn the ceremony,” Dr Dr Kellenberger delivered a report on the emergency and diag- Kellenberger nostic centre which the ICRC aims to build in Majdel Shams. said. International Committee of the Red Cross President, Jakob Kellenberger He explained that the 4.7 million-Swiss franc proposal was made He went on to at last December’s diplomatic conference in Geneva, following explain that it was revealed the Syrian authorities did not want which the ICRC had immediately acted to fulfil its promise. the community to sign the memorandum of understanding and that the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs had accused the “The ICRC has been in constant and close contact with the local ICRC of violating international humanitarian law. community, medical doctors and community leaders on the pro- posal,” he said, as well as keeping the Syrian Red Crescent and The ICRC has rejected this accusation, referring to the Geneva the occupying power, Israel, informed. Dr Kellenberger noted Conventions by which the ICRC, as an impartial humanitarian that Israel welcomed the proposed medical facility. organization, is mandated to provide medical support to victims of armed conflict. He described the centre as catering for 20,000 people, with a 24- hour emergency unit housing eight emergency beds, a resuscita- Dr Kellenberger concluded that the ICRC has been “faithful to tion room and two operating theatres. The unit would be serv- international humanitarian law”. iced by two ambulances. The hospital would also have a physio- therapy unit and other advanced medical services run by highly “The establishment of the Majdel Shams hospital corresponds to trained staff. medical needs, and this proposal shall not be jeopardized by non-humanitarian concerns,” he said. “We shall go ahead in full “On June 15 2006 the ICRC was to sign a memorandum of conformity with international humanitarian law, and we will be understanding with the local community but to the ICRC’s keeping the promise made at the diplomatic conference.” ■ President urges governments to support consensus uan Manuel Suárez del Toro, President of the International Federation, called for governments to support the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement to amend the J statutes. He explained that Resolution XI is “about respect and cooperation to meet humanitar-

Jorge Perez/International Federation ian needs; it is about unity and the universal character of our work”.

Mr Suárez del Toro said complex humanitarian challenges required greater participation by states and co-operation with National Societies around the world.

“At this International Conference, I would especially like to address the governments, and ask for their full support in fostering this cooperation among the components of International Federation President, our global organization, laying the groundwork for and guaranteeing the independence Juan Manuel Suárez del Toro of their work,” he said. ■ issue 2 - Geneva, 21 June 2006 I page 5 Progress on implementation of the PRCS/MDA Memorandum of Understanding mbassador Didier He gave a mixed picture of Pfirter, on behalf of the preferential passage and A the Swiss government, access measures taken by reported on the implementa- Israeli authorities as a conse- tion of the Memorandum of quence of MDA advocacy Understanding (MoU) between efforts, with some working the Palestine Red Crescent Jorge Perez/International Federation relatively well in certain areas, Society and the Magen David while persistent problems Adom in November 2005. The plague others. Swiss government had been requested to do this monitor- In conclusion, Ambassador ing by the presidents of the two Pfirter said, the agreements National Societies. between the PRCS and MDA “have considerably improved Ambassador Pfirter described and intensified the interac- the environment in which the tion between the two neigh- Swiss monitoring delegations bouring societies. (…) While worked, in close collaboration this implementation is not with the ICRC and the yet complete or perfect, tan- International Federation, as gible and visible results have “politically complex and been achieved on the volatile”. ground.”

He pointed out that the MDA Ambassador Didier Pfirter After noting that Switzerland had intensively lobbied relevant is ready to continue assisting Israeli authorities, mainly on in the implementation of the securing freedom of movement MoU, he underlined that this and access for PRCS ambu- cooperation had taken place, lances throughout the “in spite of difficult political Palestinian territory, through circumstances during a time checkpoints, between the Gaza period in which most other Jorge Perez/International Federation Strip and the West Bank, and channels of communication to East Jerusalem. This was an between Israelis and “arduous” task, he said, in light Palestinians at a political or of elections and a deteriorating civil society level had either security and humanitarian situ- broken down completely or ation, marked by an increase in had at least seen a consider- the number of incidents affect- Conference Hall able reduction in intensity ing PRCS ambulances. and quality of contacts.” ■

Following the reports, the debate continued on the floor. Many States and National Societies contributed including Austria on behalf of the European Union, Pakistan on behalf of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, Israel, Syria, the Palestinian Authority and the Palestine Red Crescent Society.

Delegates are kindly requested to empty their pigeon holes on a daily basis. This bulletin is for information purposes only. It does not constitute an official record.