STATUTES
OF THE INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS
AND RED CRESCENT MOVEMENT
(adopted by the 25th International Conference
of the Red Cross at Geneva in 1986,
amended in 19951 and 20062)
Preamble..................................................................................................................... 5
SECTION I
General Provisions
Article 1 Definition............................................................................................ 6
Article 2 States Parties to the Geneva Conventions .......................................... 7
SECTION II
Components of the Movement
Article 3 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies ................................ 7
Article 4 Conditions for recognition of National Societies .............................. 9
Article 5 The International Committee of the Red Cross................................. 9
Article 6 The International Federation
of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies ........................................... 11
Article 7 Cooperation........................................................................................ 12
SECTION III
Statutory Bodies
The International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent
Article 8 Definition............................................................................................ 13
Article 9 Composition ....................................................................................... 13
Article 10 Functions ............................................................................................ 13
Article 11 Procedure ............................................................................................ 14
The Council of Delegates
of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
Article 12 Definition............................................................................................ 15
Article 13 Composition ....................................................................................... 15
Article 14 Functions ............................................................................................ 16
Article 15 Procedure ............................................................................................ 16
1 Resolution 7 of the 26th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent at Geneva.
2 Resolution 1 of the 29th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent at Geneva.
The Standing Commission of the Red Cross and Red Crescent
Article 16 Definition............................................................................................ 17
Article 17 Composition ....................................................................................... 17
Article 18 Functions ............................................................................................ 18
Article 19 Procedure ............................................................................................ 19
SECTION IV
Final Provisions
Article 20 Amendments....................................................................................... 20
Article 21 Entry into force ................................................................................... 20
2 CONTENTS
RULES OF PROCEDURE
OF THE INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS
AND RED CRESCENT MOVEMENT
(adopted by the 25th International Conference
of the Red Cross at Geneva in 1986,
amended in 19953)
SECTION I
General Provisions
Rule 1 General object of these Rules ............................................................. 21
Rule 2 Other rules .......................................................................................... 21
Rule 3 Conflicting provisions ........................................................................ 21
SECTION II
The International Conference
Rule 4 Place and date ..................................................................................... 22
Rule 5 Convocation........................................................................................ 22
Rule 6 Provisional agenda.............................................................................. 22
Rule 7 Submission and despatch of official documents................................ 23
Rule 8 Submission and distribution
of National Society reports on their work.......................................... 23
Rule 9 Participants ......................................................................................... 23
Rule 10 Guests .................................................................................................. 24
Rule 11 Information media.............................................................................. 24
Rule 12 Languages............................................................................................ 24
Rule 13 Alphabetical order .............................................................................. 24
Rule 14 Quorum .............................................................................................. 25
Rule 15 Chairmanship ..................................................................................... 25
Rule 16 Bureau and commissions.................................................................... 25
Rule 17 Notification of proposals .................................................................... 26
Rule 18 Debates................................................................................................ 26
Rule 19 Adoption of resolutions...................................................................... 27
Rule 20 Voting procedure ................................................................................ 28
Rule 21 Election of members of the Standing Commission........................... 28
Rule 22 Proceedings of the Conference........................................................... 29
3 Resolution 7 of the 26th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent at Geneva.
SECTION III
The Council of Delegates
Rule 23 Place and date ..................................................................................... 30
Rule 24 Convocation........................................................................................ 30
Rule 25 Provisional agenda.............................................................................. 30
Rule 26 Opening meeting ................................................................................ 31
Rule 27 Work of the Council ........................................................................... 31
Rule 28 Proceedings of the Council ................................................................ 31
SECTION IV
The Standing Commission
Rule 29 Convocation........................................................................................ 31
Rule 30 Quorum .............................................................................................. 32
Rule 31 Proceedings of the Standing Commission......................................... 32
SECTION V
Final Provisions
Rule 32 Amendments to the Statutes and to these Rules ................................ 32
Rule 33 Entry into force of these Rules............................................................ 32
4 CONTENTS
STATUTES
OF THE INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS
AND RED CRESCENT MOVEMENT
PREAMBLE
The International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent,
Proclaims that the National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the
International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Federation of Red
Cross and Red Crescent Societies together constitute a worldwide humanitarian
movement,whose mission is to prevent and alleviate human suffering wherever it may
be found, to protect life and health and ensure respect for the human being, in
particular in times of armed conflict and other emergencies, to work for the
prevention of disease and for the promotion of health and social welfare, to encourage
voluntary service and a constant readiness to give help by the members of the
Movement, and a universal sense of solidarity towards all those in need of its
protection and assistance.
Reaffirms that, in pursuing its mission, the Movement shall be guided by its
Fundamental Principles, which are:
Humanity The International Red Cross and 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. Its purpose is to protect life and health and to ensure
respect for the human being. It promotes mutual understanding,
friendship, cooperation and lasting peace amongst all peoples.
Impartiality It makes no discrimination as to nationality, race, religious beliefs,
class or political opinions. It endeavours to relieve the suffering of
individuals, being guided solely by their needs, and to give priority
to the most urgent cases of distress.
Neutrality In order to continue 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.
Independence The Movement is independent. The National Societies, while
auxiliaries in the humanitarian services of their governments 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.
Voluntary Service It is a voluntary relief movement not prompted in any manner by
desire for gain.
Unity There can be only one Red Cross or one Red Crescent Society in any
one country. It must be open to all. It must carry on its
humanitarian work throughout its territory.
Universality The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, in which
all Societies have equal status and share equal responsibilities and
duties in helping each other, is worldwide.
Recalls that the mottoes of the Movement, Inter arma caritas and Per humanitatem
ad pacem, together express its ideals.
Declares that, by its humanitarian work and the dissemination of its ideals, the
Movement promotes a lasting peace, which is not simply the absence of war, but is a
dynamic process of cooperation among all States and peoples, cooperation founded
on respect for freedom, independence, national sovereignty, equality, human rights, as
well as on a fair and equitable distribution of resources to meet the needs of peoples.
SECTION I: GENERAL PROVISIONS
ARTICLE 1
Definition
1. The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement1 (hereinafter called “the
Movement”) is composed of the National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
recognized in accordance with Article 42 (hereinafter called “National Societies”),
of the International Committee of the Red Cross (hereinafter called “the
International Committee”) and of the International Federation of Red Cross and
Red Crescent Societies (hereinafter called “the Federation”).
2. The components of the Movement, while maintaining their independence within
the limits of the present Statutes, act at all times in accordance with the
Fundamental Principles and cooperate with each other in carrying out their
respective tasks in pursuance of their common mission.
3. The components of the Movement meet at the International Conference of the Red
Cross and Red Crescent (hereinafter called “the International Conference”) with
the States Parties to the Geneva Conventions of 27 July 1929 or of 12 August 1949.
6 STATUTES AND RULES OF PROCEDURE
1 Also known as the International Red Cross.
2 Any National Society recognized at the date of entry into force of the present Statutes shall be considered as
recognized in terms of Article 4.
ARTICLE 2
States Parties to the Geneva Conventions
1. The States Parties to the Geneva Conventions3 cooperate with the components of
the Movement in accordance with these Conventions, the present Statutes and the
resolutions of the International Conference.
2. Each State shall promote the establishment on its territory of a National Society
and encourage its development.
3. The States, in particular those which have recognized the National Society
constituted on their territory, support, whenever possible, the work of the
components of the Movement. The same components, in their turn and in
accordance with their respective statutes, support as far as possible the
humanitarian activities of the States.
4. The States shall at all times respect the adherence by all the components of the
Movement to the Fundamental Principles.
5. The implementation of the present Statutes by the components of the Movement
shall not affect the sovereignty of States, with due respect for the provisions of
international humanitarian law.
SECTION II: COMPONENTS OF THE MOVEMENT
ARTICLE 3
National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
1. The National Societies form the basic units and constitute a vital force of the
Movement. They carry out their humanitarian activities in conformity with their
own statutes and national legislation, in pursuance of the mission of the
Movement, and in accordance with the Fundamental Principles. The National
Societies support the public authorities in their humanitarian tasks, according to
the needs of the people of their respective countries.
2. Within their own countries, National Societies are autonomous national
organizations providing an indispensable framework for the activities of their
voluntary members and their staff. They cooperate with the public authorities in
STATUTES OF THE MOVEMENT 7
3 In the present Statutes the expression “Geneva Conventions” also covers their Additional Protocols for the
States Parties to these Protocols.
the prevention of disease, the promotion of health and the mitigation of human
suffering by their own programmes in such fields as education, health and social
welfare, for the benefit of the community.
They organize, in liaison with the public authorities, emergency relief operations
and other services to assist the victims of armed conflicts as provided in the
Geneva Conventions, and the victims of natural disasters and other emergencies
for whom help is needed.
They disseminate and assist their governments in disseminating international
humanitarian law; they take initiatives in this respect. They disseminate the
principles and ideals of the Movement and assist those governments which also
disseminate them. They also cooperate with their governments to ensure respect
for international humanitarian law and to protect the distinctive emblems
recognized by the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols.
3. Internationally, National Societies, each within the limits of its resources, give
assistance for victims of armed conflicts, as provided in the Geneva Conventions,
and for victims of natural disasters and other emergencies. Such assistance, in the
form of services and personnel, of material, financial and moral support, shall be
given through the National Societies concerned, the International Committee or
the Federation.
They contribute, as far as they are able, to the development of other National
Societies which require such assistance, in order to strengthen the Movement as a
whole.
International assistance between the components of the Movement shall be
coordinated as provided in Article 5 or Article 6. A National Society which is to
receive such assistance may however undertake the coordination within its own
country, subject to the concurrence of the International Committee or the
Federation, as the case may be.
4. In order to carry out these tasks, the National Societies recruit, train and assign
such personnel as are necessary for the discharge of their responsibilities.
They encourage everyone, and in particular young people, to participate in the
work of the Society.
5. National Societies have a duty to support the Federation in terms of its
Constitution. Whenever possible, they give their voluntary support to the
International Committee in its humanitarian actions.
8 STATUTES AND RULES OF PROCEDURE
ARTICLE 4
Conditions for recognition of National Societies
In order to be recognized in terms of Article 5, paragraph 2 b) as a National
Society, the Society shall meet the following conditions:
1. Be constituted on the territory of an independent State where the Geneva
Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick in
Armed Forces in the Field is in force.
2. Be the only National Red Cross or Red Crescent Society of the said State and be
directed by a central body which shall alone be competent to represent it in its
dealings with other components of the Movement.
3. Be duly recognized by the legal government of its country on the basis of the
Geneva Conventions and of the national legislation as a voluntary aid society,
auxiliary to the public authorities in the humanitarian field.
4. Have an autonomous status which allows it to operate in conformity with the
Fundamental Principles of the Movement.
5. Use a name and distinctive emblem in conformity with the Geneva Conventions
and their Additional Protocols.
6. Be so organized as to be able to fulfil the tasks defined in its own statutes, including
the preparation in peace time for its statutory tasks in case of armed conflict.
7. Extend its activities to the entire territory of the State.
8. Recruit its voluntary members and its staff without consideration of race, sex, class,
religion or political opinions.
9. Adhere to the present Statutes, share in the fellowship which unites the components
of the Movement and cooperate with them.
10. Respect the Fundamental Principles of the Movement and be guided in its work by
the principles of international humanitarian law.
ARTICLE 5
The International Committee of the Red Cross
1. The International Committee, founded in Geneva in 1863 and formally recognized
in the Geneva Conventions and by International Conferences of the Red Cross, is
an independent humanitarian organization having a status of its own. It co-opts its
members from among Swiss citizens.
2. The role of the International Committee, in accordance with its Statutes, is in
particular:
STATUTES OF THE MOVEMENT 9
a) to maintain and disseminate the Fundamental Principles of the Movement,
namely humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service,
unity and universality;
b) to recognize any newly established or reconstituted National Society, which
fulfils the conditions for recognition set out in Article 4, and to notify other
National Societies of such recognition;
c) to undertake the tasks incumbent upon it under the Geneva Conventions, to
work for the faithful application of international humanitarian law applicable
in armed conflicts and to take cognizance of any complaints based on alleged
breaches of that law;
d) to endeavour at all times – as a neutral institution whose humanitarian work is
carried out particularly in time of international and other armed conflicts or
internal strife – to ensure the protection of and assistance to military and
civilian victims of such events and of their direct results;
e) to ensure the operation of the Central Tracing Agency as provided in the
Geneva Conventions;
f) to contribute, in anticipation of armed conflicts, to the training of medical
personnel and the preparation of medical equipment, in cooperation with the
National Societies, the military and civilian medical services and other
competent authorities;
g) to work for the understanding and dissemination of knowledge of international
humanitarian law applicable in armed conflicts and to prepare any
development thereof;
h) to carry out mandates entrusted to it by the International Conference.
3. The International Committee may take any humanitarian initiative which comes
within its role as a specifically neutral and independent institution and
intermediary, and may consider any question requiring examination by such an
institution.
4. a) It shall maintain close contact with National Societies. In agreement with them,
it shall cooperate in matters of common concern, such as their preparation for
action in times of armed conflict, respect for and development and ratification of
the Geneva Conventions, and the dissemination of the Fundamental Principles
and international humanitarian law.
b) In situations foreseen in paragraph 2 d) of this Article and requiring
coordinated assistance from National Societies of other countries, the
International Committee, in cooperation with the National Society of the
country or countries concerned, shall coordinate such assistance in accordance
with the agreements concluded with the Federation.
5. Within the framework of the present Statutes and subject to the provisions of
Articles 3, 6 and 7, the International Committee shall maintain close contact with
the Federation and cooperate with it in matters of common concern.
10 STATUTES AND RULES OF PROCEDURE
6. It shall also maintain relations with governmental authorities and any national or
international institution whose assistance it considers useful.
ARTICLE 6
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
1. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies comprises
the National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. It acts under its own
Constitution with all rights and obligations of a corporate body with a legal
personality.
2. The Federation is an independent humanitarian organization which is not
governmental, political, racial or sectarian in character.
3. The general object of the Federation is to inspire, encourage, facilitate and promote
at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by the National Societies, with a
view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the
maintenance and the promotion of peace in the world.
4. To achieve the general object as defined in paragraph 3 and in the context of the
Fundamental Principles of the Movement, of the resolutions of the International
Conference and within the framework of the present Statutes and subject to the
provisions of Articles 3, 5 and 7, the functions of the Federation, in accordance
with its Constitution, are inter alia the following:
a) to act as the permanent body of liaison, coordination and study between the
National Societies and to give them any assistance they might request;
b) to encourage and promote in every country the establishment and
development of an independent and duly recognized National Society;
c) to bring relief by all available means to all disaster victims;
d) to assist the National Societies in their disaster relief preparedness, in the
organization of their relief actions and in the relief operations themselves;
e) to organize, coordinate and direct international relief actions in accordance
with the Principles and Rules adopted by the International Conference;
f) to encourage and coordinate the participation of the National Societies in
activities for safeguarding public health and the promotion of social welfare in
cooperation with their appropriate national authorities;
g) to encourage and coordinate between National Societies the exchange of ideas
for the education of children and young people in humanitarian ideals and for
the development of friendly relations between young people of all countries;
h) to assist National Societies to recruit members from the population as a whole
and inculcate the principles and ideals of the Movement;
i) to bring help to victims of armed conflicts in accordance with the agreements
concluded with the International Committee;
STATUTES OF THE MOVEMENT 11
j) to assist the International Committee in the promotion and development of
international humanitarian law and collaborate with it in the dissemination of
this law and of the Fundamental Principles of the Movement among the
National Societies;
k) to be the official representative of the member Societies in the international
field, inter alia for dealing with decisions and recommendations adopted by its
Assembly and to be the guardian of their integrity and the protector of their
interests;
l) to carry out the mandates entrusted to it by the International Conference.
5. In each country the Federation shall act through or in agreement with the National
Society and in conformity with the laws of that country.
ARTICLE 7
Cooperation
1. The components of the Movement shall cooperate with each other in accordance
with their respective statutes and with Articles 1, 3, 5 and 6 of the present Statutes.
2. In particular the International Committee and the Federation shall maintain
frequent regular contact with each other at all appropriate levels so as to coordinate
their activities in the best interest of those who require their protection and
assistance.
3. Within the framework of the present Statutes and their respective statutes, the
International Committee and the Federation shall conclude with each other any
agreements required to harmonize the conduct of their respective activities.
Should, for any reason, such agreements not exist, Article 5, paragraph 4 b) and
Article 6, paragraph 4 i) shall not apply and the International Committee and the
Federation shall refer to the other provisions of the present Statutes to settle
matters relative to their respective fields of activities.
4. Cooperation between the components of the Movement on a regional basis shall
be undertaken in the spirit of their common mission and the Fundamental
Principles, within the limits of their respective statutes.
5. The components of the Movement, while maintaining their independence and
identity, cooperate whenever necessary with other organizations which are active
in the humanitarian field, provided such organizations are pursuing a purpose
similar to that of the Movement and are prepared to respect the adherence by the
components to the Fundamental Principles.
12 STATUTES AND RULES OF PROCEDURE
SECTION III: STATUTORY BODIES
The International Conference
of the Red Cross and Red Crescent
ARTICLE 8
Definition
The International Conference is the supreme deliberative body for the Movement.
At the International Conference, representatives of the components of the Movement
meet with representatives of the States Parties to the Geneva Conventions, the latter in
exercise of their responsibilities under those Conventions and in support of the overall
work of the Movement in terms of Article 2. Together they examine and decide upon
humanitarian matters of common interest and any other related matter.
ARTICLE 9
Composition
1. The members of the International Conference shall be the delegations from the
National Societies, from the International Committee, from the Federation and
from the States Parties to the Geneva Conventions.
2. Each of these delegations shall have equal rights expressed by a single vote.
3. A delegate shall belong to only one delegation.
4. A delegation shall not be represented by another delegation or by a member of
another delegation.
ARTICLE 10
Functions
1. The International Conference contributes to the unity of the Movement and to the
achievement of its mission in full respect of the Fundamental Principles.
2. The International Conference contributes to the respect for and development of
international humanitarian law and other international conventions of particular
interest to the Movement.
3. The International Conference shall have the sole competence:
a) to amend the present Statutes and the Rules of Procedure of the
International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (hereinafter called “Rules of
Procedure”);
b) to take, at the request of any of its members, the final decision on any difference of
opinion as to the interpretation and application of these Statutes and Rules;
STATUTES OF THE MOVEMENT 13
c) to decide on any question, referred to in Article 18, paragraph 2 b), which may
be submitted to it by the Standing Commission, the International Committee
or the Federation.
4. The International Conference shall elect in a personal capacity those members of
the Standing Commission mentioned in Article 17, paragraph 1 a) of the present
Statutes, taking into account personal qualities and the principle of fair
geographical distribution.
5. Within the limits of the present Statutes and of the Rules of Procedure, the
International Conference shall adopt its decisions, recommendations or
declarations in the form of resolutions.
6. The International Conference may assign mandates to the International
Committee and to the Federation within the limits of their statutes and of the
present Statutes.
7. The International Conference may enact, when necessary and by a two-thirds
majority of its members present and voting, regulations relating to matters such as
procedure and the award of medals.
8. The International Conference may establish for the duration of the Conference
subsidiary bodies in accordance with the Rules of Procedure.
ARTICLE 11
Procedure
1. The International Conference shall meet every four years, unless it decides
otherwise. It shall be convened by the central body of a National Society, by the
International Committee or by the Federation, under the mandate conferred for
that purpose either by the previous International Conference or by the Standing
Commission as provided in Article 18, paragraph 1 a).As a general rule, favourable
consideration shall be given to any offer made during an International Conference
by a National Society, the International Committee or the Federation to act as host
to the next Conference.
2. Should exceptional circumstances so require, the place and date of the
International Conference may be changed by the Standing Commission. The
Standing Commission may act on its own initiative or on a proposal by the
International Committee, the Federation or at least one third of the National
Societies.
3. The International Conference shall elect the Chairman, Vice-Chairmen, Secretary
General,Assistant Secretaries General and other officers of the Conference.
4. All participants in the International Conference shall respect the Fundamental
Principles and all documents presented shall conform with these Principles. In
order that the debates of the International Conference shall command the
14 STATUTES AND RULES OF PROCEDURE
confidence of all, the Chairman and any elected officer responsible for the conduct
of business shall ensure that none of the speakers at any time engages in
controversies of a political, racial, religious or ideological nature.The Bureau of the
International Conference, as defined in the Rules of Procedure, shall apply the
same standard to documents before authorizing their circulation.
5. In addition to the members entitled to take part in the International Conference,
observers, referred to in Article 18, paragraph 1 d),may attend the meetings of the
Conference, unless the Conference decides otherwise.
6. The International Conference shall not modify either the Statutes of the
International Committee or the Constitution of the Federation nor take decisions
contrary to such statutes. The International Committee and the Federation shall
take no decision contrary to the present Statutes or to the resolutions of the
International Conference.
7. The International Conference shall endeavour to adopt its resolutions by
consensus as provided in the Rules of Procedure. If no consensus is reached, a vote
shall be taken in accordance with these Rules.
8. Subject to the provisions of the present Statutes, the International Conference shall
be governed by the Rules of Procedure.
The Council of Delegates
of the International Red Cross
and Red Crescent Movement
ARTICLE 12
Definition
The Council of Delegates of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent
Movement (hereinafter called “the Council”) is the body where the representatives of
all the components of the Movement meet to discuss matters which concern the
Movement as a whole.
ARTICLE 13
Composition
1. The members of the Council shall be the delegations from the National Societies,
from the International Committee and from the Federation.
2. Each of these delegations shall have equal rights expressed by a single vote.
STATUTES OF THE MOVEMENT 15
ARTICLE 14
Functions
1. Within the limits of the present Statutes, the Council shall give an opinion and
where necessary take decisions on all matters concerning the Movement which
may be referred to it by the International Conference, the Standing Commission,
the National Societies, the International Committee or the Federation.
2. When meeting prior to the opening of the International Conference, the Council
shall:
a) propose to the Conference the persons to fill the posts mentioned in Article 11,
paragraph 3;
b) adopt the provisional agenda of the Conference.
3. Within the limits of the present Statutes, the Council shall adopt its decisions,
recommendations or declarations in the form of resolutions.
4. Notwithstanding the general provision contained in Article 10, paragraph 7, the
Council may amend, by a two-thirds majority of its members present and voting,
the regulations for the Henry Dunant Medal.
5. The Council may refer any matter to the International Conference.
6. The Council may refer a matter to any of the components of the Movement for
consideration.
7. The Council may establish by a two-thirds majority of its members present and
voting such subsidiary bodies as may be necessary, specifying their mandate,
duration and membership.
8. The Council shall take no final decision on any matter which, according to the
present Statutes, is within the sole competence of the International Conference,nor
any decision contrary to the resolutions of the latter, or concerning any matter
already settled by the Conference or reserved by it for the agenda of a forthcoming
Conference.
ARTICLE 15
Procedure
1. The Council shall meet on the occasion of each International Conference, prior to
the opening of the Conference, and whenever one third of the National Societies,
the International Committee, the Federation or the Standing Commission so
request. In principle, it shall meet on the occasion of each session of the General
Assembly of the Federation. The Council may also meet on its own initiative.
2. The Council shall elect its Chairman and Vice-Chairman. The Council and the
General Assembly of the Federation, as well as the International Conference when
it is convened, shall be chaired by different persons.
16 STATUTES AND RULES OF PROCEDURE
3. All participants in the Council shall respect the Fundamental Principles and all
documents presented shall conform with these Principles. In order that the debates
of the Council shall command the confidence of all, the Chairman and any elected
officer responsible for the conduct of business shall ensure that none of the
speakers at any time engages in controversies of a political, racial, religious or
ideological nature.
4. In addition to the members entitled to take part in the Council, observers, referred
to in Article 18, paragraph 4 c), from those “National Societies in the process of
recognition” which appear likely to be recognized in the foreseeable future may
attend the meetings of the Council, unless the Council decides otherwise.
5. The Council shall endeavour to adopt its resolutions by consensus as provided in
the Rules of Procedure. If no consensus is reached, a vote shall be taken in
accordance with the Rules of Procedure.
6. The Council shall be subject to the Rules of Procedure. It may supplement them
when necessary by a two-thirds majority of its members present and voting, unless
the International Conference decides otherwise.
The Standing Commission of the Red Cross and Red Crescent
ARTICLE 16
Definition
The Standing Commission of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (called “the
Standing Commission” in the present Statutes) is the trustee of the International
Conference between two Conferences, carrying out the functions laid down in
Article 18.
ARTICLE 17
Composition
1. The Standing Commission shall comprise nine members, namely:
a) five who are members of different National Societies, each elected in a personal
capacity by the International Conference according to Article 10, paragraph 4
and holding office until the close of the following International Conference or
until the next Standing Commission has been formally constituted, whichever
is the later;
b) two who are representatives of the International Committee, one of whom shall
be the President;
c) two who are representatives of the Federation,one of whom shall be the President.
STATUTES OF THE MOVEMENT 17
2. Should any member referred to in paragraph 1 b) or c) be unable to attend a
meeting of the Standing Commission, he may appoint a substitute for that
meeting, provided that the substitute is not a member of the Commission. Should
any vacancy occur among the members referred to in paragraph 1 a), the Standing
Commission itself shall appoint as a member the candidate who, at the previous
election, obtained the greatest number of votes without being elected, provided
that the person concerned is not a member of the same National Society as an
existing elected member. In case of a tie, the principle of fair geographical
distribution shall be the deciding factor.
3. The Standing Commission shall invite to its meetings, in an advisory capacity and
at least one year before the International Conference is to meet, a representative of
the host organization of the next International Conference.
ARTICLE 18
Functions
1. The Standing Commission shall make arrangements for the next International
Conference by:
a) selecting the place and fixing the date thereof, should this not have been
decided by the previous Conference, or should exceptional circumstances so
require in terms of Article 11, paragraph 2;
b) establishing the programme for the Conference;
c) preparing the provisional agenda of the Conference for submission to the
Council;
d) establishing by consensus the list of the observers referred to in Article 11,
paragraph 5;
e) promoting the Conference and securing optimum attendance.
2. The Standing Commission shall settle, in the interval between International
Conferences, and subject to any final decision by the Conference:
a) any difference of opinion which may arise as to the interpretation and
application of the present Statutes and of the Rules of Procedure;
b) any question which may be submitted to it by the International Committee or the
Federation in connection with any difference which may arise between them.
3. The Standing Commission shall:
a) promote harmony in the work of the Movement and, in this connection,
coordination among its components;
b) encourage and further the implementation of resolutions of the International
Conference;
c) examine, with these objects in view,matters which concern the Movement as a
whole.
18 STATUTES AND RULES OF PROCEDURE
4. The Standing Commission shall make arrangements for the next Council by:
a) selecting the place and fixing the date thereof;
b) preparing the provisional agenda of the Council;
c) establishing by consensus the list of the observers referred to in Article 15,
paragraph 4.
5. The Standing Commission shall administer the award of the Henry Dunant Medal.
6. The Standing Commission may refer to the Council any question concerning the
Movement.
7. The Standing Commission may establish by consensus such ad hoc bodies as
necessary and nominate the members of these bodies.
8. In carrying out its functions and subject to any final decision by the International
Conference, the Standing Commission shall take any measures which
circumstances demand, provided always that the independence and initiative of
each of the components of the Movement, as defined in the present Statutes, are
strictly safeguarded.
ARTICLE 19
Procedure
1. The Standing Commission shall hold an ordinary meeting at least twice yearly. It
shall hold an extraordinary meeting when convened by its Chairman, either acting
on his own initiative or at the request of three of its members.
2. The Standing Commission shall have its headquarters in Geneva. It may meet in
another place selected by its Chairman and approved by the majority of its
members.
3. The Standing Commission shall also meet at the same place and at the same time
as the International Conference.
4. All decisions shall be taken by a majority vote of the members present, unless
otherwise specified in the present Statutes or in the Rules of Procedure.
5. The Standing Commission shall elect a Chairman and a Vice-Chairman from
among its members.
6. Within the limits of the present Statutes and of the Rules of Procedure, the
Standing Commission shall establish its own rules of procedure.
STATUTES OF THE MOVEMENT 19
SECTION IV:
FINAL PROVISIONS
ARTICLE 20
Amendments
Any proposal to amend the present Statutes and the Rules of Procedure must be
placed on the agenda of the International Conference and its text sent to all members
of the Conference at least six months in advance.To be adopted, any amendment shall
require a two-thirds majority of those members of the International Conference
present and voting, after the views of the International Committee and the Federation
have been presented to the Conference.
ARTICLE 21
Entry into force
1. The present Statutes shall replace the Statutes adopted in 1952 by the Eighteenth
International Conference. Any earlier provisions which conflict with the present
Statutes are repealed.
2. The present amended Statutes shall enter into force on 22 June 2006.
20 STATUTES AND RULES OF PROCEDURE
RULES OF PROCEDURE
OF THE INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS
AND RED CRESCENT MOVEMENT
SECTION I: GENERAL PROVISIONS
RULE 1
General object of these Rules
The general object of these Rules of Procedure (hereinafter called
“these Rules”) is to ensure the implementation of the Statutes of the
International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (hereinafter
called “the Statutes”) and to regulate the work of its statutory bodies.
RULE 2
Other rules
1 The statutory bodies of the Movement may enact other rules of
procedure as provided in the Statutes.
2. Any subsidiary body established by the statutory bodies, other
than the plenary commissions of the International Conference,
may draw up by consensus its own rules of procedure. In the
absence of any such rules and to the plenary commissions of the
International Conference, these Rules shall be applied mutatis
mutandis.
RULE 3
Conflicting provisions
The Statutes shall prevail over any other provisions and these
Rules over any other rules or regulations drawn up by the statutory
bodies or by any subsidiary bodies established by them.
Statutory
bodies
Subsidiary
bodies
SECTION II: THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
RULE 4
Place and date
1. The place and date of the International Conference (hereinafter
called “the Conference”) shall be fixed by the Standing
Commission if the previous Conference has not already decided
on this matter.
2. A decision on the place of the next Conference shall only be taken
after the Conference or the Standing Commission has received an
assurance in writing from the government of the country in which
the next Conference is proposed to be held that all participants as
defined in Rule 9 will be allowed to take part.
3. Any change of the date of the Conference according to Article 11,
paragraph 2 of the Statutes shall be notified by the Standing
Commission to the host of the Conference as soon as possible but
at the latest in time to enable the host organization to despatch the
notice of convocation ninety days before the revised opening date
of the Conference.
RULE 5
Convocation
A National Society, the International Committee or the
Federation, when mandated to act as host to the Conference, shall
despatch to the members and observers of the Conference the notice
of convocation by registered airmail at least six months before the date
fixed for the opening of the Conference. The notice of convocation
shall indicate the place, opening date and the anticipated duration of
the Conference.
RULE 6
Provisional agenda
1. The programme and the provisional agenda of the Conference
drawn up by the Standing Commission shall accompany the
notice of convocation. The provisional agenda is subject to
approval by the Council.
2. Observations, amendments or additions to the provisional agenda
must be received by the Standing Commission at least sixty days
before the opening of the Conference, unless the Standing
Commission agrees to a later date.
22 STATUTES AND REGULATIONS
Decision
Assurance
from
government
Despatch
Amendments
Change
of date
RULE 7
Submission and despatch of official documents
Any document submitted by a member of the Conference for
inclusion as an official working document and for classification as
such must be received by the Standing Commission at the latest
ninety days before the opening of the Conference. The documents
shall be despatched, with the approval of the Standing Commission,
by the International Committee and the Federation to the members
and observers of the Conference at least forty-five days before the
opening of the Conference.
RULE 8
Submission and distribution of National Society
reports on their work
Reports submitted to the Conference by National Societies on
their work since the previous Conference should be sent direct to the
host organization, so as to arrive at least thirty days before the
opening of the Conference, for distribution, subject to the approval of
the Bureau of the Conference.
RULE 9
Participants
1. Participants in the Conference shall be the delegates of the
members defined in Article 9 of the Statutes and the observers in
terms of Article 11, paragraph 5 of the Statutes.
2. The name of the delegates of each delegation, one of them
designated as head of delegation, shall be communicated by the
members to the host organization before the first meeting of the
Council. During the Conference the Chairman shall be informed
of any addition, change or deletion regarding the composition of
delegations. No delegate shall be nominated for any official
position unless his name has reached the host organization within
the prescribed time.
3. Observers at the Conference are either invited persons or
representatives of invited organizations; organizations shall
communicate the names of their representatives to the host
organization before the opening of the Conference. Observers
have the right to speak only on the invitation of the Chairman and
to the extent that the Conference has no objections; they shall have
access to the documents of the Conference.
RULES OF PROCEDURE OF THE MOVEMENT 23
Definition
Delegates
Observers
RULE 10
Guests
The host organization may issue invitations to guests to the
opening and closing ceremonies and to such other occasions as the
Standing Commission or the Bureau of the Conference may decide.
RULE 11
Information media
The Bureau of the Conference shall be responsible for all matters
relating to official information on the Conference. It shall arrange for
appropriate coverage of the Conference proceedings by the
information media, unless the Conference decides otherwise.
RULE 12
Languages
1. The official languages of the Conference shall be Arabic, Chinese,
English, French, Russian and Spanish. The official languages may
be used in debates without the prior permission of the Chairman.
Any delegate wishing to speak in a language other than an official
language shall first obtain the permission of the Chairman.
2. The working languages of the Conference shall be English, French
and Spanish. The working languages are those in which
simultaneous interpretation is provided and are the only
languages in which documents relating to items on the agenda will
be prepared.Any delegate using a language which is not a working
language shall provide for its interpretation into one of the
working languages.
3. The Standing Commission, in agreement with the host
organization, may decide that for a particular Conference the
language of the host country will also be authorized for
simultaneous interpretation.
RULE 13
Alphabetical order
The alphabetical order of the members of the Conference shall be
the alphabetical order of the French names of their respective
countries. The name of the National Society and of the State which
vote first shall be decided by the drawing of lots.
24 STATUTES AND REGULATIONS
Official
languages
Working
languages
Language
of the host
country
RULE 14
Quorum
To be valid, the deliberations of the Conference shall require a
quorum of one third of the total of the components of the Movement
as defined in Article 1 of the Statutes and of the States as defined in
Article 2 of the Statutes.
RULE 15
Chairmanship
1. The opening ceremony of the Conference shall be chaired by a
representative of the host organization.
2. The first plenary meeting of the Conference shall be chaired by the
Chairman of the Standing Commission until the Chairman of the
Conference has been elected.
3. At its first plenary meeting the Conference shall elect the
Chairman, Vice-Chairmen, Secretary General and two Assistant
Secretaries General on the proposal of the Council.
4. In addition to the powers conferred upon him elsewhere in these
Rules and subject to paragraphs 1 and 2, the Chairman shall
declare the opening and closing of each plenary meeting of the
Conference, ensure observance of these Rules, conduct all debates,
put questions to the vote and announce the results.He may charge
one of the Vice-Chairmen to replace him during any meeting or
part of a meeting.
5. Any Vice-Chairman charged by the Chairman to represent him
shall have the powers and duties of the Chairman.
RULE 16
Bureau and commissions
1. There shall be a Bureau which shall organize the work of the
Conference. The Bureau shall be chaired by the Chairman of the
Conference and its membership shall include the Chairman of the
Standing Commission, the heads of the delegations from the
International Committee and from the Federation, the Chairmen
of the plenary commissions and the Secretary General of the
Conference.
2. Plenary commissions are subsidiary bodies open to all
participants in the Conference. The Conference may establish
such commissions for the duration of the Conference as proposed
RULES OF PROCEDURE OF THE MOVEMENT 25
Opening
ceremony
First plenary
meeting
Elections
Powers of the
Chairman
Powers of the
Vice-Chairman
Bureau
Plenary
commissions
by the Standing Commission. The Conference shall adopt the
agenda of the commissions so established. Each commission shall
elect its Chairman, Vice-Chairmen and Rapporteurs on the
proposal of the Council.
3. The Conference may at any time establish other subsidiary bodies,
including their agendas, for the duration of the Conference.
RULE 17
Notification of proposals
1. The Bureau may propose to the Conference that new items be
added to the agenda, provided that the proposals are submitted to
the Chairman the day before and signed by at least five delegations
to the Conference each belonging to a different country. The
Bureau shall determine the agenda for each meeting, following as
far as possible the order of the subjects proposed by the Standing
Commission and approved by the Council.
2. Subject to the provisions of Article 11, paragraph 4 of the Statutes,
proposals and amendments other than points of order shall be
communicated in writing in advance to the Chairman and
circulated by him to the delegates before being discussed, unless he
decides otherwise. A similar procedure shall apply to other
documents.
3. The Chairman may decide that any proposal, or amendment,
including motions of closure, shall be seconded by another
delegation before it can be discussed or voted upon.
RULE 18
Debates
1. No delegate may take the floor without first having obtained
permission from the Chairman. Speakers shall be called upon in
the order in which they have signified to the Chairman their desire
to speak. Priority shall be given to the Chairman and Rapporteur
of the Commission concerned or to the delegate responsible for
the respective report, proposal or amendment under discussion.
2. The duration of speeches shall be limited to ten minutes but may
be extended or shortened at the Chairman’s discretion, unless the
Conference decides otherwise.
26 STATUTES AND REGULATIONS
Other
subsidiary
bodies
Additions to
the agenda
Proposals
and
amendments
Seconding
Debating
procedure
Duration of
speeches
3. If during a discussion, a delegate raises a point of order, the
discussion shall be suspended and the point of order decided
immediately by the Chairman according to these Rules or, at the
Chairman’s discretion, by the Conference. A delegate raising a
point of order may not speak on the substance of the matter under
discussion.
4. The following motions shall have precedence in the order set out
below over all other proposals or motions:
a) to suspend the meeting;
b) to adjourn the meeting;
c) to adjourn the debate on the item under discussion;
d) to close the debate on the item under discussion.
Such motions must be seconded by at least four other delegations.
5. Unless the Chairman decides otherwise, only one delegate may
speak for and one against points of order and the motions
mentioned in paragraph 4.
6. Discussion upon each question shall be closed when there is no
further speaker or when a motion of closure has been adopted by
the Conference.During the course of a debate, the Chairman may
announce the list of speakers and, with the consent of the
Conference, declare the list closed. He may accord the right of
reply to any member concerned by a previous intervention.
7. A delegation may appeal against the ruling of the Chairman. The
appeal shall immediately be put to the vote, and the Chairman’s
ruling shall stand unless overruled by a majority of the members
of the Conference present and voting.
RULE 19
Adoption of resolutions
1. Consensus shall be understood to mean the absence of any
objection expressed by a delegation and submitted by it as
constituting an obstacle to the adoption of the resolution in
question. After the adoption by consensus of a resolution, any
delegation may state the standpoint it would have adopted had the
matter been put to vote.
2. If no consensus is reached, resolutions shall be taken by a majority
of those members present and voting.
RULES OF PROCEDURE OF THE MOVEMENT 27
Points
of order
Priority
of motions
Motions
Closure of
debates
Appeal against
ruling of
Chairman
By voting
By consensus
RULE 20
Voting procedure
1. Amendments to a proposal or motion shall be put to the vote
before the proposal or motion. In the event of there being several
amendments, the Chairman shall first put to the vote the
amendment furthest removed from the original proposal.
2. The vote of each delegation shall be expressed by its head or by the
delegate he has designated to replace him. The Chairman shall
have no vote apart from that allocated to his delegation.
3. The majority shall be half the total number of votes cast for or
against the proposal, plus one. The number of those members
present and voting who express a vote of abstention shall be
recorded but not taken into account in determining the majority.
In the event of a tie, the proposal shall be rejected.The result of the
votes shall be announced by the Chairman and included in the
proceedings of the Conference.
4. In the absence of a consensus, the vote shall, as a general rule, be
taken by a show of hands.
5. The vote shall be taken by roll call if ten delegations so request. In
this case all the delegations from the National Societies shall vote
first, then all the delegations from the States, then the delegations
from the International Committee and from the Federation. The
delegations from the National Societies and from the States shall
be called in alphabetical order.
6. The vote shall be taken by secret ballot if ten delegations so
request. In this case the Chairman shall appoint from among the
delegates of the members of the Conference three tellers who, after
all the ballot papers have been collected, shall proceed to a count
of the votes. A valid request for a vote by secret ballot shall take
precedence over a valid request for a vote by roll call.
7. After the Chairman has announced the beginning of voting, no
delegate shall interrupt the voting except on a point of order in
connection with the actual voting procedure.
RULE 21
Election of members of the Standing Commission
1. Nominations for the Standing Commission shall be delivered in
closed envelopes, with the curriculum vitae of each candidate, to
the Chairman of the Bureau, forty-eight hours before the opening
28 STATUTES AND REGULATIONS
Voting order
Right to vote
Majority
Show of hands
Roll call
Secret ballot
Interruption
of voting
Nominations
of the meeting in which the election will take place. The Bureau
shall circulate the curriculum vitae of each candidate at least
twenty-four hours before that meeting. When nominating
candidates, personal qualities and the principle of fair
geographical distribution should be taken into account.
2. The election process for the Standing Commission shall start
immediately after the opening of the meeting at which the vote
will take place.
3. The members of the Standing Commission referred to in
Article 10, paragraph 4 of the Statutes shall be elected by secret
ballot by the members of the Conference. For the purpose of
determining the absolute majority required in terms of paragraph
4, a roll call of members shall be taken before voting begins.
4. In the first ballot, the candidates obtaining an absolute majority
shall be declared elected. If more than five candidates obtain an
absolute majority, the five candidates obtaining the largest number
of votes shall be declared elected. If less than five candidates obtain
an absolute majority in the first ballot, a second ballot shall be held
in which the candidate(s) obtaining the largest number of votes
shall be declared elected.
5. In the case of a tie, subsequent ballots shall be held until the
remaining candidate(s) has received a relative majority.After four
ballots the total number of votes cast for each candidate in all four
ballots shall be taken into consideration. If a tie still results, a
decision shall be made by drawing lots.
6. If two or more candidates from the same National Society are in a
position to be declared elected, the candidate obtaining the largest
number of votes shall be considered as elected.
RULE 22
Proceedings of the Conference
1. Unless the Conference decides otherwise, the organization
responsible for convening the Conference shall make the
necessary arrangements for the recording of the plenary meetings
and of the meetings of the plenary commissions of the
Conference.
2. The following at least shall constitute the proceedings of the
Conference and be collected in one volume:
— the lists of participants (members and observers);
RULES OF PROCEDURE OF THE MOVEMENT 29
Beginning of
the election
process
Ballot
Elected
candidates
Ties
Candidates
from the same
National
Society
Recording of
the plenary
meetings and
of the plenary
commissions
Content of the
proceedings
— the list of documents;
— the verbatim record of the plenary meetings of the Conference;
— the reports of the plenary commissions;
— the resolutions of the Conference.
3. The volume mentioned in paragraph 2 shall be published under
the authority of the Standing Commission by the host
organization and issued to the members of the Conference and to
the observers invited to it, if possible not later than one year after
it closes.
4. As far as possible summary reports of the plenary meetings of the
Conference and of its commissions shall be prepared by the host
organization and issued to the members of the Conference the day
following such meetings.
SECTION III: THE COUNCIL OF DELEGATES
RULE 23
Place and date
The place, date and duration of the Council shall be fixed by the
Standing Commission in accordance with Article 15, paragraph 1 of
the Statutes.
RULE 24
Convocation
When the Council meets on the occasion of a Conference, the
organization responsible for convening the Conference shall also
convene the Council. In all other cases the Standing Commission shall
be responsible for the convocation.
RULE 25
Provisional agenda
The provisional agenda of the Council shall be prepared by the
Standing Commission.
30 STATUTES AND REGULATIONS
Publication
Daily reports
RULE 26
Opening meeting
1. The opening meeting of the Council, when it meets on the
occasion of a Conference, shall be held before the opening of the
Conference, at a time which takes into account the planned
duration of the Council.
2. The Chairman of the Standing Commission shall chair the
opening meeting until the Chairman of the Council has been
elected.
3. In addition to the election of its Chairman and Vice-Chairman
from among its members, the Council shall elect secretaries.
RULE 27
Work of the Council
Unless otherwise specified in the Statutes or in these Rules, the
provisions of these Rules concerning the Conference shall be applied
mutatis mutandis to the meetings of the Council.
RULE 28
Proceedings of the Council
When the Council meets on the occasion of a Conference, the
proceedings of the Council shall also be collected in the volume
mentioned in Rule 22, paragraph 2.
SECTION IV: THE STANDING COMMISSION
RULE 29
Convocation
Immediately after the election of the members of the Standing
Commission the Chairman of the Conference shall convoke the
members of the new Commission who are present. These members
shall decide by majority who shall be responsible for convening the
first meeting of the Commission. If practicable, the first meeting, at
which the Chairman and the Vice-Chairman shall be elected, should
be held forthwith.
RULES OF PROCEDURE OF THE MOVEMENT 31
Date
Chairmanship
Election of
chairmanship
and secretaries
RULE 30
Quorum
To be valid, the deliberations of the Standing Commission shall
require a quorum of five members.
RULE 31
Proceedings of the Standing Commission
When the Standing Commission meets on the occasion of a
Conference in accordance with Rule 29, its proceedings shall be
included in the volume mentioned in Rule 22, paragraph 2.
SECTION V: FINAL PROVISIONS
RULE 32
Amendments to the Statutes and to these Rules
1. In pursuance of Article 20 of the Statutes, the text of proposed
amendments to the Statutes or to these Rules shall be
communicated to the Chairman of the Standing Commission in
such time as will permit him to transmit copies thereof together
with the comments of the International Committee and the
Federation to the members of the Conference no later than six
months before the opening session of the Conference.
2. The International Committee and the Federation shall present
their comments to the proposed amendments in time to enable the
Standing Commission to fulfil its obligation arising from the
preceding paragraph.
3. The Conference shall decide on which date any adopted
amendment shall enter into force.
RULE 33
Entry into force of these Rules
1. These Rules shall replace the Rules of Procedure of the
International Conference of the Red Cross adopted in 1952 by the
Eighteenth Conference.Any earlier provision which conflicts with
these Rules is repealed.
2. These Rules shall enter into force on 8 November 1986.
32 STATUTES AND REGULATIONS
Communication
of proposals
Comments
of the
International
Committee and
the Federation
Entry into
force of the
amendments
Abrogation
Date
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