Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the Occasion of the150th Anniversary of the Battle of Solferino
On the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Solferino, the European Union recalls the utmost importance of empathy and solidarity towards those affected by armed conflicts and other situations of violence.
On the ashes of the terrible battle that happened on the 24th June 1859 in Solferino, humankind was able, thanks to efforts undertaken under the lead of Henry Dunant, to build up an impressive humanitarian momentum that lead to the foundation of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (hereafter "the Movement"), today the largest humanitarian organisation active in nearly all the countries around the world. This battle was also the grounds on which the international community of States has developed and adopted instruments of International Humanitarian Law, the international law rules relevant in times of armed conflict, in particular the four Geneva Conventions of 1949, the 60th anniversary of which will be celebrated this year.
The Movement, made up of the International Committee of the Red Cross, the 186 National Societies of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent, and the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is based on seven Fundamental Principles. After a long and established practice, they were formally recognized and defined by the International Red Cross Conference held in Vienna in 1965 in which all States parties to the Geneva Conventions took part. These principles of Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary service, Unity and Universality are specific to the Movement and are an operational tool for all its activities.
The EU recalls the States' commitment to respect at all times the adherence by all components of the Movement to the seven Fundamental Principles.
150 years after this landmark battle of Solferino, the EU, which was itself built on the remnants of a terrible conflict, remains devoted to work towards alleviating suffering of victims of armed conflicts around the world.
The European Union praises the work done by the Movement within and outside the EU and is deeply committed to support it.
The Candidate Country Croatia* and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Armenia, and Georgia align themselves with this declaration.
* Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.
Contact:
- Milan Řepka, spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic
- Tel.: +420 224 182 426, GSM: +420 724 034 154, [email protected]
Last update: 16.8.2011 15:18
