 | |
        
|
|
| |
|
WHY THE RED CROSS IS VISITING DETAINEES IN GUANTANAMO BAY It seems a horror to many Americans that anyone—especially the Red Cross—would be interested in the welfare of the Afghan war detainees being held by the U.S. military in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. However, it is our very own government that requested the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to visit with the detainees. Why? Along with 188 other nations across the globe, the United States is committed to meeting the standards of humanitarian treatment described in the Geneva Conventions— international treaties that provide protection and assistance to victims of armed conflict. The Geneva Conventions require that all captured combatants or prisoners of war (POWs) be visited by the ICRC to help assure the world that their treatment is humane. Meeting with POWs and detainees to discuss their treatment is one of the ICRC’s unique functions. As an independent organization promoting respect for international humanitarian law, the ICRC also registers these people so their families and their government know where they are, and to give them the opportunity to write personal messages to relatives. These activities are legally mandated by the Geneva Conventions for the protection of captured combatants from all nations, including the United States, "who have fallen into the power of the enemy." Ensuring the protection of captured U.S. combatants is another reason why the United States invited the ICRC to visit the detainees. In times of war, the United States wants to know that the ICRC will be visiting captured Americans. For example, the ICRC visited three American service men held in a Serbian prison during the Kosovo conflict and arranged for them to send messages to their families back home. During the Gulf War, the ICRC met with 55 U.S. POWs as well as POWs from the UK, France, Germany and Italy. The American Red Cross emphasizes the value and importance of international humanitarian law and the need for the ICRC to conduct visits in situations of conflict or violence. In 2001, prior to September 30, the ICRC visited more than 200,000 people in places of detention in more than 72 countries who were deprived of their freedom, including soldiers, civilians, journalists and relief workers. The ICRC does not publicly discuss its findings, even with other Red Cross organizations, including the American Red Cross. All members of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including the ICRC and the American Red Cross, are bound by certain fundamental principles. These principles include impartiality, neutrality and independence and apply equally in times of war and in times of peace. They enable the Red Cross to carry out its humanitarian work wherever needed, including in Guantanamo Bay. The Red Cross Movement supports the U.S. government in its efforts to comply with the Geneva Conventions. For more information, read a related article: ICRC Visits Afghan Detainees in Cuba
|
| © Copyright 2001 The American National Red Cross. All Rights Reserved. CONTACT US | SITE DIRECTORY | PRIVACY POLICY |