The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) works worldwide to provide protection and humanitarian assistance to people affected by conflict and armed violence. We take action in response to emergencies and, at the same time, promote respect for international humanitarian law. We are an independent and neutral organization, and our mandate stems essentially from the Geneva Conventions of 1949. We work closely with National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and with their International Federation in order to ensure a concerted, rational and rapid humanitarian response to the needs of the victims of armed conflict or any other situation of internal violence. We direct and coordinate the international activities conducted in these situations.
Specifically for this role
In situations of armed conflict and in other situations of violence (OSV), the role of law enforcement officials may have key humanitarian consequences due to their responsibilities (maintenance of public order and security, prevention and detection of crime and provision of assistance to people in need) and the powers they have been granted (arrest and detention, search and seizure, use of force and firearms) to fulfil their duties. Armed Police and security forces can significantly influence the fate of those affected by such situations in the way they exercise their powers during law enforcement operations. Hence, maintaining a dialogue with law enforcement officials is an integral part of ICRC operations around the world to prevent and limit the humanitarian consequences of armed conflict and OSV.
The Unit for Relations with Arms Carriers (FAS) and more specifically Police and Gendarmerie (PGE) Delegates have the primary responsibility for defining the concepts, guidelines, policies, working tools, rules and procedures governing the dialogue with armed, police and security forces participating in law enforcement operations. Moreover, PGE delegates contribute to delegation strategies and activities where their specific PGE expertise is required to support management and the relevant departments.
The ICRC does not provide operational/tactical advice (“how to do the job”), instead, it initiates and strengthens thinking processes on operational practice, lessons learnt, integration of the law and compliance that are fully owned by the law enforcement authorities themselves.