Fundamental Principles of the Movement

Proclaimed in Vienna in 1965, the seven Fundamental Principles bond together the National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, The International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. They guarantee the continuity of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement and its humanitarian work.

Humanity
The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, born of a desire to bring assistance without discrimination to the wounded on the battlefield, endeavours, in its international and national capacity, to prevent and alleviate human suffering wherever it may be found. Its purpose is to protect life and health and to ensure respect for the human being. It promotes mutual understanding, friendship, cooperation and lasting peace amongst all peoples.

Impartiality
It makes no discrimination as to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinions. It endeavours to relieve the suffering of individuals, being guided solely by their needs, and to give priority to the most urgent cases of distress.

Neutrality
In order to continue to enjoy the confidence of all, the Movement may not take sides in hostilities or engage at any time in controversies of a political, racial, religious or ideological nature.

Independence
The Movement is independent. The National Societies, while auxiliaries in the humanitarian services of their governments and subject to the laws of their respective countries, must always maintain their autonomy so that they may be able at all times to act in accordance with the principles of the Movement.

Voluntary service
It is a voluntary relief movement not prompted in any manner by desire for gain.

Unity
There can be only one Red Cross or one Red Crescent Society in any one country. It must be open to all. It must carry on its humanitarian work throughout its territory.

Universality
The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, in which all Societies have equal status and share equal responsibilities and duties in helping each other, is worldwide.

Questions and answers

Who could modify the text of the Fundamental Principles?
The text of the Fundamental Principles is included in the Statutes of the Movement. Therefore, if the text of the Fundamental Principles were to be modified, a modification of the Statutes of the Movement would be necessary. As a consequence, the International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent would have to decide on this matter, because the Statutes of the Movement are adopted by the Conference.

What are the factors on which discrimination could be based?
There are many possible factors for discrimination: gender, age, race, colour, language, religion or belief, political or other opinion, national, ethnic or social origin, wealth, birth, etc. The fact that the Principle of Impartiality does not include all of these criteria does not mean that a difference of treatment based on any of these criteria is justified: it would indeed be discrimination and therefore a violation of the Principle of Impartiality.

When a National society is acting as auxiliary to the medical services of armed forces, is it a violation of the Principle of Neutrality?
If the acts are only of a medical nature it is not a violation. However, it does raise the issue of the image of the National Society in such a case, especially in the context of a civil war. By undertaking those functions, a National Society may not be seen as being neutral, therefore putting its volunteers and staff at risk. This is why it is of the utmost importance that all parties in a conflict understand and respect the humanitarian role of a National Society.

Is the question of Red Cross Red Crescent 'independance' only related to the relationship between its components and States?
No, this is a much broader issue. The independence of the Red Cross Red Crescent is also related to its independence vis-à-vis other forms of power, whether religious, political, economic, etc. So the Red Cross Red Crescent needs to be independent from religions, political parties, companies and so on.

Does the Principle of Voluntary Service mean that no Red Cross Red Crescent person should be paid for their work?
No, it does not. The word "volunteer" refers to someone who works of his or her own free will, without external compulsion – and not necessarily someone who is not paid. Whether it is done without pay or with some form of acknowledgement or even modest remuneration, the main thing is that it is not inspired by the desire for financial gain but by individual commitment and devotion to the humanitarian purpose, freely chosen or accepted as part of the service that the Red Cross and Red Crescent render to the community.

Why is there only one National Society in a given country?
There are several reasons for this:

• Efficiency of work - this could be diminished if two or more Societies were to co-exist in a given country;
• Focus - two or more Socieiteis may focus in a disorganised manner on the same priorities, while forgetting other fields, and have different modes of operation;
• Risk of confusion in the public mind - difficulties could arise when attempting to decide which Society would be the one to be represented at international level;

• Representation - there could be a risk that each of these Societies would come to represent different communities within the country, thus not building bridges between communities.