discernable within the literature of humanitarianism in crisis could plausibly be
linked to the persistent influence of the last three.^51 For example, the principle of
voluntary service sits in tension with the increasingly professionalised practice of
humanitarianism. As such, I will give the official Red Cross definition of each
principle, briefly discuss them, and present the issues that arise from them and that
permeate the rest of the thesis.^52
Humanity
The Red Cross, 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, co-
operation and lasting peace amongst all peoples.^53Ramsbotham and Woodhouse consider the principle of humanity to be the “heart
of humanitarianism”.^54 Indeed, it is widely recognised as such. For Pictet:
In the doctrine of the Red Cross, the principle of humanity, from which all
the other principles flow, obviously has to stand in first place. As the basis of
the institution, it provides at the same time its ideal, its motivation and its
objective. It is indeed the prime mover for the whole movement, the spark
51
Ramsbotham and Woodhouse make a slightly different selection of a core: humanity,
impartiality, neutrality, universality. They omit independence, voluntary service and unity
on the grounds that “they apply more narrowly to the inner integrity of the movement
itself”. This is precisely why it is interesting to examine their implications for the
humanitarian identity crisis. Ramsbotham and Woodhouse, Humanitarian Intervention in
Contemporary Conflict 52 , 14.
In doing so, I am borrowing the approach of Ramsbotham and Woodhouse, who take also
take the principles in turn. Rather than assert and describe their content, though, I present
them as sites of contestation and debate. Ibid., 14-18. I will use Pictet’s 1979 commentary
on the principles, the interpretation the ICRC foreground on their website. Jean Pictet, The
Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross: Commentary (1979). Available at
http://www.icrc.org/Web/Eng/siteeng0.nsf/htmlall/fundamental-principles-commentary-
010179; accessed on 05 July 2010. The text is unpaginated, as I will indicate in subsequent
footnotes when quoting directly from it. See also IFRC, "Origin of the Fundamental
Principles". 53
54 Pictet, The Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross , unpaginated text.
Ramsbotham and Woodhouse, Humanitarian Intervention in Contemporary Conflict , 15.