Overview
Critically evaluates the International Committee of the Red Cross, how the organization operates between state and insurgents, in internal armed conflicts
Outlines how the shift in the nature of armed conflicts transformed the activities of humanitarian agencies
Gives account of humanitarian operations in Sri Lanka and Sudan which exposes how the state sovereignty questioned the neutrality and autonomy of international humanitarian organizations
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Table of contents (5 chapters)
Keywords
About this book
This book critically examines the possible dilution of the neutrality principle of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in internal armed conflicts. It begins with the proposition that the intervention of ICRC in internal armed conflicts led to compromises in neutrality, and questioned the autonomy and independence of the organization. The book also argues that the field operations of the international humanitarian organizations during internal armed conflicts are dependent on the authority exercised by the state in whose territory the conflict persists. The ICRC’s involvement in Sri Lanka and Sudan provides empirical support to validate these propositions and arguments. The cases also show that for the ICRC, it is hard to be neutral and impartial in situations of internal armed conflicts and such conflicts present formidable challenges to maintain its organization autonomy as well.
The larger purpose of the book is to contribute to the policy re/formulation of the international humanitarian organizations in internal armed conflict, the most significant challenge in the field at present.
Reviews
“This book potentially will be of interest to researchers of internal armed conflict, international law, and governance as well as area studies scholars interested in Africa and Asia. It would also be of relevance to practitioners of humanitarianism-whether governmental or non-governmental. The author demonstrates the grasp over relevant literature, just as he is able to present the narrative in his own language and as per his research design. Particularly appreciable is the author's attempt to contextualise the ICRC's activities by giving a historical background to the case studies.” (C S R Murthy, Professor, Centre for International Politics, Organization and Disarmament, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India)
“Neutrality has long been among the core principles of the ICRC. Kumar contributes an important element to the ongoing debate on the future of neutrality with his review of the developments regarding the principle of Neutrality.” (Prof. Dr. Andrej J. Zwitter, NGIZ Professor of International Relations, Faculty of Law University of Groningen, The Netherlands )
Authors and Affiliations
About the author
Bibliographic Information
Book Title: The International Committee of the Red Cross in Internal Armed Conflicts
Book Subtitle: Is Neutrality Possible?
Authors: Rajeesh Kumar
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-2601-1
Publisher: Palgrave Pivot Singapore
eBook Packages: Political Science and International Studies, Political Science and International Studies (R0)
Copyright Information: The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s) 2019
Hardcover ISBN: 978-981-13-2600-4Published: 12 October 2018
eBook ISBN: 978-981-13-2601-1Published: 29 September 2018
Edition Number: 1
Number of Pages: XI, 135
Number of Illustrations: 2 b/w illustrations
Topics: International Organization, Conflict Studies, Military and Defence Studies, Terrorism and Political Violence, International Humanitarian Law, Law of Armed Conflict