Book contents
- The Contemporary International Committee of the Red Cross
- The Contemporary International Committee of the Red Cross
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Photographs
- Preface: Who and Why
- 1 The Contemporary ICRC and Its Critics
- 2 The ICRC and the Global Humanitarian System
- 3 History
- 4 History
- 5 The Red Cross Movement
- 6 The Red Cross Movement
- 7 ICRC Relations with Bern
- 8 ICRC Relations with Bern
- 9 Humanitarians and Business
- 10 Humanitarians and Business
- 11 Interpreting the Mandate
- 12 Interpreting the Mandate
- 13 Has the Traditional Focus Been Lost?
- 14 Has the Traditional Focus Been Lost?
- 15 ICRC Governance and Management
- 16 ICRC Governance and Management
- 17 Conclusion
- 18 Conclusion
- Epilogue
- Annex
- Index
1 - The Contemporary ICRC and Its Critics
The Slippery Slope of Decline?
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 February 2024
- The Contemporary International Committee of the Red Cross
- The Contemporary International Committee of the Red Cross
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Photographs
- Preface: Who and Why
- 1 The Contemporary ICRC and Its Critics
- 2 The ICRC and the Global Humanitarian System
- 3 History
- 4 History
- 5 The Red Cross Movement
- 6 The Red Cross Movement
- 7 ICRC Relations with Bern
- 8 ICRC Relations with Bern
- 9 Humanitarians and Business
- 10 Humanitarians and Business
- 11 Interpreting the Mandate
- 12 Interpreting the Mandate
- 13 Has the Traditional Focus Been Lost?
- 14 Has the Traditional Focus Been Lost?
- 15 ICRC Governance and Management
- 16 ICRC Governance and Management
- 17 Conclusion
- 18 Conclusion
- Epilogue
- Annex
- Index
Summary
The first chapter introduces different ICRC alumni who are critics of current trends in ICRC policy. While not all alumni have the same views, some allege the organization is undermining its image as an independent and neutral humanitarian actor by such moves as allowing the ICRC president to be on the board of trustees of the World Economic Forum. Some also allege that Geneva has undertaken such broad field activities that it has weakened its reputation linked primarily to international humanitarian law and especially the protection of prisoners, including political prisoners. This introduction to claims of an ICRC in decline by experienced critics who closely follow the ICRC today, based on access to key information, sets the stage for the rest of the book. The author suggests in a preliminary way that the critics raise important points, although some may be more valid or important than others.
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- The Contemporary International Committee of the Red CrossChallenges, Changes, Controversies, pp. 1 - 19Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2024