14 - Has the Traditional Focus Been Lost?

Summary

Continuing the preceding discussion, this chapter addresses the subject of protecting political prisoners. This topic is more difficult for an outside analyst to understand given the lack of public information about the details of the subject. The author believes that the organization in general, particularly through its varied field operations, continues to pursue the subject with consistency, even if without major breakthroughs known to the public. There are probably achievements here and there, as new agreements are quietly reached, or existing visits expanded. Field offices and the protection unit in Geneva do stay busy on the subject, even if it seems that certain high officials have not prioritized the subject. Attention is given to the relation between assistance and traditional protection. Also important to understand is the “all prisoner” approach by the ICRC, and whether this broad scope is sustainable – and does or does not lead to progress in protecting political (and conflict) prisoners.