Guiding the International Community

Abstract

The ICRC traditionally has encouraged other NGOs to follow its Funda- mental Principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality. With decades of experience, the ICRC knows that following these principles allows its workers to function in the field while minimizing the hazards of their very dangerous duties. The Principles facilitate humanitarian relief. The adoption of another mission prompted the ICRC to reiterate the principles as a set of rules—in order to guide all the players in the international community that might intervene in wars. These rules were needed to facilitate lessening the brutality of internal wars and eventually to make them dysfunctional and settled. Fulfilling both missions required a code of conduct.