The International Committee of the Red Cross:
Reafirming our fundamental principles

“An injured person must be taken care of on the basis of their condition – nothing else: not his religion, not his ethnicity, not his record. That would be a grave breach of the universally accepted notion of humanity and associated ethics.”

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reaffirms the importance of incorporating the Fundamental Principles into our day-to-day activities, and promotes these values with all ICRC colleagues, staff and volunteers of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. It is through our own action that, as part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, we make the Fundamental Principles come alive.

The ICRC, which is at the origin of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, was born of a desire to bring assistance without discrimination to the wounded on the battlefield more than 150 years ago, and still endeavours to prevent and alleviate human suffering wherever it may be found worldwide today.

At the core of the Fundamental Principles are humanity and impartiality. Humanity – preserving human well-being and dignity – is the ultimate purpose of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. By protecting life and health and ensuring respect for people whomever they are and wherever they are we strive to preserve human life and dignity.

Concretely, this means that an injured person must be taken care of on the basis of their condition – nothing else: not his religion, not his ethnicity, not his record. That would be a grave breach of the universally accepted notion of humanity and associated ethics.

With the Principle of Impartiality, members of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement make no discrimination as to nationality, race, religious beliefs or political affiliation of those in distress. We endeavour only to relieve suffering, giving priority to the most urgent cases of distress. The ICRC reiterates unconditional support and commitment to the Principle of Impartiality, even when the difficult operational circumstances urge us to act contrary to this Principle during the course of our work.

The ICRC recognizes the outstanding work performed by its Movement’s partners, National Red Cross and National Red Crescent Societies, including Magen David Adom, whose teams work under difficult circumstances. We support their efforts to assist those in need and recognize their achievements in face of insurmountable odds.