mutuality (close to the current understanding of impartiality).^45 These were clearly
working principles, reflecting the struggle to get the movement on its feet. In 1921,
the Statutes of the ICRC were revised to focus on four fundamental principles:
impartiality, independence (political, economic and religious), universality of the
Red Cross Movement, and equality of Red Cross members.^46 Then, from 1946
onwards, they were systematically revised and expanded, becoming progressively
more institutionalised until their official proclamation in Vienna in 1965. Though
representing the view of one particular organisation, they have a canonical status
within humanitarianism, for they are the ones being either endorsed or contested in
contemporary struggles for the soul of humanitarianism, including within the ICRC
itself. Furthermore, many writers and practitioners seem to find themselves
returning to the ICRC account of humanitarianism. The Dunantist tradition still
exerts a powerful hold over the consciences of many professional humanitarians.
For instance, at the end of his life, a leading French humanitarian from MSF,
François Jean, confided to David Rieff that “he felt closer and closer to the ICRC’s
approach”.^47
The most authoritative explanatory voice on their meaning and content is
that of Jean Pictet, a major figure within the organisation, who produced a major
analysis of Red Cross principles in 1955.^48 The definitive list contains seven
fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary
service, unity, universality. It is now almost conventional to assert the primary
importance of the first four. Without doubt, they are the most discussed. In the
words of Barnett and Weiss, they are “the core”.^49 Nicholas Leader considers that
“the principles of humanitarian action show a remarkable degree of continuity”,
around this central core.^50 But it is interesting to note that part of the unease
45
IFRC, "Origin of the Fundamental Principles". Available at
http://www.ifrc.org/what/values/principles/origin.a 46 sp; accessed on 05 July 2010.
47 Ibid.
48 Rieff, A Bed for the Night , 331.
49 IFRC, "Origin of the Fundamental Principles".
50 Barnett and Weiss, "Humanitarianism", 3.
Nicholas Leader, "Proliferating Principles, or How to Sup with the Devil without Getting
Eaten", International Journal of Human Rights 2, no. 4 (1998): 22.