The 7 Fundamental

Principles of The Red

Cross and Red Crescent
Movement
A historical perspective
I) Origins and historical analysis
of the 7 Fundamental
Principles

II) Full Text of the 7
Fundamental Principles

Contents for this
presentation
Principles and Values. International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
As early as 1875, Gustave Moynier
suggested that the RC should
observe the following 4 Principles:
1 Foresight = preparations in advance
2 Solidarity = Mutual ties between NS
3 Centralization = One NS per country
4 Mutuality = assistance given to wounded
regardless of nationality.
I. Origins of the
7 Fundamental Principles
In 1921, the revised Statutes of the
ICRC were modified and incorporated
four Fundamental Principles:
- impartiality, political, religious and
economic independence, the
universality of the Movement and the
equality of its members.
I) Origins of the
7 Fundamental Principles
In 1946, the League's Board of
Governors confirmed the four 1921
principles, supplemented by another
thirteen principles and six rules of
application.
Those Principles are known as the
"Oxford Principles"
I) Origins of the
7 Fundamental Principles
In 1955 Jean Pictet defined and
analyzed all the values which guide
the work of the Movement. He listed
17 principles in two categories:
a. Fundamental Principles, which express the very
reason for the Movement's existence and inspire
and influence all it does;
b. the organic principles, which concern the
Movement's structure and how it works.
I) Origins of the
7 Fundamental Principles
The Movement's seven Fundamental
Principles as they stand today were
unanimously adopted in 1965 by the
20th International Conference of the
Red Cross, which also decided that
they should be solemnly read out at
the opening of every International
Conference.
I) Origins of the
7 Fundamental Principles
Principles and Values. International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
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In 1986, the 25th International
Conference of the Red Cross (in
Geneva) reaffirmed the importance
of the Principles by including them
in the Preamble to the Movement's
Statutes; their drafting was slightly
amended, and is as follows:
I) Origins of the
7 Fundamental Principles
Fundamental Principles
Humanity
Impartiality
Neutrality
Independence
Voluntary Service
Unity
Universality
Analysis of the
7 Fundamental
Principles

The Statutes of the Movement
underscore the obligation of all the
components of the RC RC Movement
to act at all times in compliance with
the Fundamental Principles
Furthermore..
I. Binding Character
of the 7FP
the Statutes of the Movement recall
the role of the ICRC to maintain and
disseminate the Fundamental
Principles, and the role of the
Federation to assist the ICRC in this
respect.
Furthermore..
I. Binding Character
of the 7FP
the Seville agreement recalls that
National Societies have a key role to
play in upholding and disseminating
the Fundamental Principles within their
own country.
I. Binding Character
of the 7FP

States are not required to respect the
Fundamental Principles of the
Movement, except in the context of
the International Conference.

I. Binding Character
of the 7FP
The I nternational Red Cross 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. I ts purpose is to protect life and health
and to ensure respect for the human being. I t
promotes mutual understanding, friendship, co-
operation and lasting peace amongst all people
Humanity
HUMANITY
it recalls the origins of the Movement: "born of a
desire to bring assistance without discrimination to
the wounded on the battlefield"
it recalls the double dimension of the Movement:
the national and the international one
it defines the mission of the Movement: "to
prevent and alleviate human suffering wherever it
may be found"
it defines the purposes of the Movement
II) Analysis of the
Fundamental Principles
Impartiality
I t makes no distinction as to nationality, race, religious
beliefs, class or political opinions. I t endeavours to
relieve the suffering of individuals, being guided solely
by their needs, and to give priority to the most urgent
cases of distress
IMPARTIALITY
The Movement makes no discrimination - and
this does not apply only to people it assists or
protects. Non-discrimination is the refusal to apply
distinctions of an adverse nature to human beings
simply because they belong to a specific category.
Impartiality means that, for the Movement, the
only priority that can be set in dealing with those
who require help must be based on need

II) Analysis of the
Fundamental Principles
Neutrality
I n order 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
NEUTRALITY
the purpose of complying is to enjoy the
confidence of all. It requires confidence of all in
many contexts, i.e. not only in armed conflicts
contexts.
the Principle of Neutrality prohibits a component
of the Movement from taking part in hostilities.
the Principle of Neutrality prohibits the Movement
to engage at any time in controversies of a
political, racial, religious or ideological nature.
II) Analysis of the
Fundamental Principles
Independence
The Movement is independent. The National Societies,
while auxiliaries in the humanitarian services of their
government 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
INDEPENDENCE
resist any interference, whether political,
ideological or economic, capable of diverting them
from the course of action laid down by the
requirements of humanity, impartiality and
neutrality.
balance between the NS status of auxiliary to
public authorities in the humanitarian field and
their submission to national law, on the one hand,
and the need to maintain their autonomy, on the
other hand.
II) Analysis of the
Fundamental Principles
Voluntary
Service
I t is a voluntary relief movement not
prompted in any manner by desire for gain
VOLUNTARY SERVICE
The Movement is a volunteer-based
organization
Volunteers provide a vital source of motivation,
inspiration and initiative. Volunteers help to
maintain the human quality of the RCRC services
provided.
Voluntary service, is also a source of economy. It
allows NS to provide services with minimum
financial resources.
II) Analysis of the
Fundamental Principles
Unity
There can be only one Red Cross or one Red
Crescent Society in any one country. I t must be
open to all. I t must carry on its humanitarian work
throughout its territory
UNITY
As States have agreed to the FP, they have an
obligation to ensure that no other NS can be
created on their territory if they have already
recognized a National Society.
a National Society has to open its membership
with a broad base in the population as a whole. It
has to recruit its members from all the ethnic,
social and other groups in the country.
a National Society has to be active in all parts of
the country.
II) Analysis of the
Fundamental Principles
Universality
The I nternational Red Cross and Crescent
Movement, in which all Societies have equal
status and share equal responsibilities and duties
in helping each other, is worldwide
UNIVERSALITY

The RCRC Movement is worldwide.
All National Societies have equal status in the
Movement.
All Societies share equal responsibilities and
duties in helping each other.

II) Analysis of the
Fundamental Principles