2024-01-15 02:45:00
Today, in the rural area of Arauca, a convoy of the International Committee of the Red Cross that was carrying out the evacuation of an injured person was intercepted by an armed group. The ambulance that was part of the caravan was forcibly taken along with the injured person and the health personnel who operated it. Both the staff and the injured man were released hours later and moved to the municipality of Tame.
The ICRC emphatically calls on all armed actors to respect and protect the life and integrity of injured people, as well as health personnel, transport and health facilities. In accordance with International Humanitarian Law (IHL), all injured and sick people must be collected and cared for; Likewise, each party to an armed conflict must respect and protect transportation for the evacuation of the wounded and sick, the circulation of ambulances, the transportation of personnel and medical supplies, and the delivery of necessary medical supplies.
For the ICRC, it is unacceptable that the protection of injured people and the respect of those who provide them with health care are violated. This is one of the basic and fundamental norms of IHL. For this reason, it strongly insists that the work of health personnel be respected, in all circumstances.
Likewise, the ICRC insists on its call to all parties to respect humanitarian action. Any act that ignores the special protection that, for example, the ICRC has in national and international regulations, has the potential effect of leaving affected communities without the necessary attention. Furthermore, these behaviors ignore the special protection that IHL clearly grants to impartial humanitarian organizations and the ICRC.
The ICRC seeks security guarantees from all parties to the conflict present in the areas where it carries out its humanitarian action. This action consists of contributing to the preservation and protection of the life and dignity of people who are not participating or have stopped participating in hostilities, such as injured people.
The ICRC will continue to carry out its work in Colombia, as it has been doing for more than fifty years, based on its principles of neutrality, independence and impartiality, in accordance with its mission recognized by IHL.
Media Contact
Laura SantamaríaICRC, Bogotá
Communications Coordinator
Telephone: +57 311 491 07 89
Email: [email protected]
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