22 August, anniversary of the first Geneva Convention: the words of Red Cross President Francesco Rocca

By Cristiano Antonino On Aug 22, 2022

First Geneva Convention: ‘Today we celebrate a milestone in the birth of our Movement and of modern humanitarianism’

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22 August 1864, signing of the First Geneva Convention

“22 August 1864 is a date of capital importance, not only for the women and men of the Red Cross, but for the whole of humanity: the First Geneva Convention is signed by 12 European States.

The text, inspired by the ideas and actions of Henry Dunant, lays the foundations of international humanitarian law (IHL), establishing universal rules for the protection of victims in conflicts, the obligation to extend treatment without discrimination to all wounded and sick soldiers, and respect for medical personnel, material and medical equipment through the distinctive emblem of the Red Cross, founded a year earlier.

Almost 160 years later, unfortunately, we are witnessing a regression rather than an evolution: the victims of conflicts still too often become invisible or are forgotten altogether.

Humanitarian crises are increasing in number, as are violations of IHL, which continue to be one of the most serious problems for the protection of civilians and that of humanitarian workers and medical personnel.

It is not only Ukraine that is now, rightly, in the spotlight: there are too many forgotten modern wars where assistance to civilians and victims is not guaranteed.

Once there was a possibility of access, according to the rule that ‘you don’t shoot at the Red Cross’. Now nothing is taken for granted any more.

That is why we must start again from those founding values and principles that drive our actions.

The challenges are more complex than ever, the obstacles numerous, but we must fight for the complete respect of what was established by this text that changed history’.

Francesco Rocca, President of the Italian Red Cross