Afghanistan: ICRC calls on all parties to conflict to respect international
humanitarian law
Darcy Christen, ICRC Geneva
Geneva
(ICRC) - The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), as
promoter and guardian of international humanitarian law, is increasingly
concerned about the impact in humanitarian terms of the war in Afghanistan.
It reminds all the parties involved à the Taliban, the Northern
Alliance, and the US-led coalition à of their obligation to respect
and ensure respect for international humanitarian law.
Among the essential principles of international humanitarian law
is the requirement that persons not taking part in hostilities must
be treated with humanity in all circumstances: they must be spared
the effects of the violence, they may not be forcibly displaced
and their property must be respected. Threats to their lives, their
physical integrity and their dignity are prohibited. Attacks directed
at civilians are prohibited, as are indiscriminate attacks. In the
course of military operations, all parties are obliged to take every
feasible precaution to avoid civilian casualties and damage to civilian
infrastructure. The warring parties have the duty to ensure that
the basic needs of the civilian population in the territory under
their control are met as far as possible and to allow the passage
of essential relief supplies intended for civilians. They must authorize
and facilitate impartial humanitarian relief operations and ensure
the safety of medical and humanitarian personnel. They must see
to it that the sick and the wounded have access to adequate medical
care. The red cross and red crescent emblems must be respected by
all parties.
All those who are detained must be spared and protected against
abuse, whatever the circumstances and regardless of their affiliation.
Combatants captured by enemy forces in the international armed conflict
between the Taliban and the US-led coalition must be treated in
accordance with the Third Geneva Convention. Civilians detained
by a party of which they are not nationals must be treated in accordance
with the Fourth Geneva Convention. The ICRC must therefore be allowed
to visit them.
The ICRC is pursuing its work to assist the civilian population
and war-wounded in Afghanistan through its own local staff and in
cooperation with the Afghan Red Crescent Society. Hospitals and
clinics supported by the ICRC continue functioning, as do the organizations
limb-fitting centres. Over the past two weeks, ICRC medical convoys
have reached Kabul from Peshawar and have replenished stocks in
the ICRC-supported hospitals there. In Kandahar, Kabul and Herat,
the Afghan Red Crescent ambulance service, which is supported by
the ICRC, has been taking the injured to hospital. Meanwhile, the
organizations staff are pre-positioning relief supplies in
Iran, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Pakistan.
The ICRC is committed to fulfilling its responsibilities in close
cooperation with its partners in the International Red Cross and
Red Crescent Movement.
Further information: Darcy Christen, ICRC Geneva, tel. ++41 22 730
2750 or ++41 79 217 3231
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