Brasilia (ICRC) – During a visit to Brasilia this week, the president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Mirjana Spoljaric, raised the importance of upholding international humanitarian law and humanitarian principles in a world with more than 100 armed conflicts, unprecedented challenges, and polarization.
President Spoljaric met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mauro Vieira and other representatives of the government to discuss global humanitarian concerns and the situation in conflict-affected areas where the ICRC operates.
"In a polarized world, ICRC's neutrality makes it possible to help people where no other organization has access. Respect for international humanitarian law remains the only way to preserve a minimum level of humanity in conflicts. I believe that the laws of war must be a political priority," said Ms. Spoljaric
Ms Spoljaric acknowledged the advancements of the ongoing high-level dialogue between the ICRC and Brazil to discuss humanitarian challenges worldwide resulting from armed conflicts. Brazil has ratified 26 international humanitarian law treaties, helping to promote the "rules of war" broadly.
"Brazil is an important actor on the global stage and a key partner of the ICRC. We look forward to continuing our joint efforts to make a positive impact on the lives of people in need," said Ms. Spoljaric, who assumed the presidency of the ICRC in October 2022.
The ICRC has been present in Brazil since 1991. The Regional Delegation, which covers Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay, promotes international humanitarian law and humanitarian principles and develops activities in partnership with local governments and communities in response to the humanitarian consequences of armed violence and the protection needs of migrants, in cooperation with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the National Societies of the region.
The ICRC is an impartial, neutral, and independent organization whose exclusively humanitarian mission is to protect the lives and dignity of victims of armed conflict and other situations of violence and to provide them with assistance.
For further information, please contact:
Marcella Fernandes, ICRC Brasilia, tel.: +55 61 98248-7600
Sandra Lefcovich, ICRC Brasilia, tel.: +55 61 98175-1599
