Ray Luck, Chairman
International Humanitarian Law (IHL)
International Humanitarian Law is the branch of international law that encompasses both humanitarian principles and international treaties that seek to save lives and alleviate suffering of both combatants and non combatants during the Geneva convention of 1949, four treaties signed by almost all nations around the world.
The Geneva Conventions provide specific rules to safeguard combatants (members of the Armed Forces) who are wounded, sick, or shipwrecked; prisoners of war and civilians; as well as medical personnel, military chaplains, and civilian support workers of the military.
The 1977 Additional Protocols supplement the Geneva Conventions and further expand those rights.
Under the rules of IHL during armed conflict-
- Torture, indiscriminate bombings, and the taking of hostages are prohibited.
- All wounded must be cared for, regardless of their loyalties in a conflict.
- Prisoners of war must be humanely treated.
- Medical personnel, establishments, mobile units, and materials are to be protected.
- Civilians are not to be the object of attack.
International humanitarian law does not ask why a conflict exists. Its primary concern is how to alleviate the human suffering brought on by war.
What are the Geneva Conventions?
The Geneva Conventions are international treaties designed for protection of victims of war, including wounded and sick military personnel, prisoners of war, and the civilian population in areas of conflict.
The Geneva conventions were the outgrowth of a plan proposed by Henry Dunant, a Swiss businessman, who was shocked by the pitiable condition of the wounded soldiers he saw on the battlefield at Solferino, Italy, in 1859. This plan resulted in the forming of a Committee of Five, a forerunner of the International Committee of the Red Cross , and in the drafting of the First Geneva Convention of 1864, a pact extending the principles of fair and humane treatment to the wounded and sick military personnel in land war.
Between 1864 and 1949, other conventions were ratified by participating nations, including the Second Convention, 1907, which established rules for the protection of armed forces wounded at sea, and the Third Convention, 1929, which provided for the protection of prisoners of war. In 1949, the three existing Conventions were revised, and a Fourth, for the protection of civilians in time of war, was added. Two additional protocols to the Geneva Convention of 1949 were adopted by the Diplomatic Conference of Governments in 1977.
The first reaffirms and expands the rule for the protection of war victims, especially the civilian population, and the second supplements and develops the rule of protection for victims of non international armed conflict. The International Committee of the Red Cross is the all Swiss group of some 25 citizens that serves as a neutral intermediary between belligerent countries in carrying out the terms of the Conventions. The four Geneva Conventions of 1949 have been translated into 30 languages and place specific obligations on the more than 140 governments that have ratified them.
Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service
Each year, more than 2,000 American Red Cross volunteers, through the Veterans Administration Voluntary Service (VAVS), proudly give a total of 400,000 hours to help veterans in VA medical facilities. The American Red Cross was one of six charter members when the VAVS was formed 50 years ago. Today, there are over 50 member organizations.
Your Opportunity To Serve and Say 'Thanks'
Volunteers from local Red Cross chapters and stations serve in VA medical centers located in more than 150 communities around the nation. It is their special way of saying thankyou to a special group of men and women cared for each day in VA medical centers. The needs in these centers are great. But so are the opportunities to provide valuable services in a variety of areas, including:
- Physical rehabilitation
- Social work services
- Library work
- Nursing and ward services
- Services in hospital offices, laboratories, and at information desks
- Dietetic service
- And more
Both youth and adults can offer their services on a regularly scheduled basis or on an occasional basis, to work on special projects.
Youth volunteers are especially welcome and are offered the same opportunity as adults. Regardless of how one serves, being able to reach out to these men and women has special rewards.
Service to Veterans: Part of Our Red Cross Mission
Red Cross voluntary services to U.S. veterans dates back to World War 1 and is consistent with the mission of our congressional charter.
Today, through the VAVS, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year , the American Red Cross is proud to say it maintains its commitment to the sick and disabled men and women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.
How You Can Help
Although government charted the Red Cross is not a government agency. It relies on the support of the American people, whose generous donations of time, money, and blood makes Red Cross services possible in communities nationwide.
For more information about the American Red Cross, our Armed Forces Emergency Services and Red Cross volunteer opportunities through the VAVS:
- Contact the Westfield /Mountainside Chapter at (908) 232-7090
- To contribute to the Red Cross:
- Call 1-800-HELP-NOW
- Send a check made payable to:
Armed Forces Emergency Services (AFES)
PO Box 1446, Alexandria, VA 22313
- or Westfield/Mountainside Chapter
321 Elm Street, Westfield, NJ 07090
