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IHL and the Australian Red Cross
The Geneva Conventions require Nation States to educate their citizens about International Humanitarian Law (IHL), the intention being that greater awareness will promote an understanding of, and respect for the law in times of conflict.
Australia is party to the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols and thus abides by these 'rules of war'. While Nation States have primary responsibility for the dissemination of IHL, every Red Cross and Red Crescent National Society has a mandate to promote IHL and humanitarian principles in their respective countries.
Australian Red Cross has an active IHL program, with dissemination activities throughout the country.
National Strategy for IHL Dissemination
Australian Red Cross's current IHL Strategy seeks to promote an awareness and understanding of the humanitarian principles guiding IHL. The IHL Program provides seminars, training and liaises with key target groups identified as having a role to play in times of armed conflict.
The following groups are a focus for IHL dissemination:
- Australian Defence Force
- Australian Federal Police
- non-Government organisations
- emergency services
- Commonwealth Government agencies
- key professions (Law, Medicine, Journalism)
- State Governments
- Tertiary Education sector
- Secondary Education sector
- wider community.
The IHL Program also seeks to ensure that the key priority groups are aware of the components, legal mandate and mode of operation of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
Protection of the Red Cross Emblem
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The red cross and red crescent emblems are protected under the Geneva Conventions Act 1957. Under Australian law, the Minister of Defence is responsible for authorising the use, and addressing any alleged misuse, of the emblems.
One of the roles of the Australian Red Cross IHL Program is to assist the Minister in monitoring the use and misuse of the red cross emblem. |
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On being made aware of an alleged misuse, an IHL Officer will make contact with the relevant person, explain the reasons for its protected status, and request corrective action. If such an approach does not resolve the matter, it is referred to the Minister for further action.
If you are concerned about the correct way in which the emblem can be used, please contact the IHL Officer in your state or territory.
More information can also be found on the What is IHL? --Emblems of Protection page.
Fundamental Principles of the Movement
A distinguishing feature of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is the Fundamental Principles which guide the work of the entire Movement. These Fundamental Principles--humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality--also guide and inform the IHL dissemination program.
For more information about the historic importance of the Principles, visit the History of the Principles page on the ICRC website.
Components of the Movement
The IHL program raises public awareness of the structure and roles of the components of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, that is, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and National Societies.
For more information on the components of the Movement, see The Movement page on the ICRC website.
For more information on the way in which the various organisations within the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement work together, see the Reinforcing Red Cross Red Crescent Cooperation in Emergencies: the Seville Agreement page on the ICRC website.
IHL Committees
The activities and objectives of the IHL Program are supported by IHL Committees in each State or Territory.
The Committees generally include members of the defence force, media and academic experts in IHL, and they assist IHL Officers in undertaking Australian Red Cross's IHL dissemination activities.
For information on National Committees for the Implementation of International Humanitarian Law, visit the National Committees page on the ICRC website.
Volunteer opportunities
ARC welcomes assistance from volunteers in the IHL program, particularly those with qualifications and/or experience in education, law or international relations.
To find out if there are current volunteer opportunities, please contact the IHL Officer in your State or Territory.
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