Honourable Guy Mellet, Regional Delegate of the International Committee of the Red Cross
Other Representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross
Deputy Secretary-General
Assistant Secretaries-General
Other Secretariat Officials
Ladies and Gentlemen
Members of the Media

This afternoon, the pleasure is mine to sign a Cooperation and Consultation Agreement on behalf of the CARICOM Secretariat with the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Since the Red Cross, to call it by the name familiar to all in this Region, began its operations in 1863, its name has become synonymous worldwide, with humanitarianism and peace. The emblems have been increased to include the Red Crescent and the Red Crystal symbolising the worldwide acceptance of the principles of the ICRC and its celebrated founder Henry Dunant.

Monsieur Dunant was the first recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1901 and the Organisation itself has been awarded this honour on three occasions, 1917, 1944 and 1963 in recognition of its tremendous contribution to world peace.

It is the ICRC and Monsieur Dunant, for example, who were instrumental in organising the conference in 1864 from which emanated the first Geneva Convention on the rules for the conduct of war. The founder’s dream for “the creation of relief societies in each country, that would act as auxiliaries to the army medical services, and a legal basis that would oblige armies to care for all wounded, whichever side they were on” had come to fruition.

Since those days the Red Cross and international humanitarian law have developed in parallel. This concern for humanity and the principles underlying the rules by which we relate to one another, have been one of the fundamental values for the countries of the Caribbean Community. Indeed the Articles II and III of the CARICOM Charter of Civil Society speak to fundamental human rights and human dignity, two issues which resonate with the work of the ICRC.

It is most fitting therefore that the Memorandum that our two organisations are about to sign urges “the promotion, dissemination and wider appreciation of international humanitarian law, humanitarian principles and standards in the CARICOM Region.”

The Community holds these principles dear and this bond that we are about to forge in its name, with the premier humanitarian organisation in the world, serves to strengthen the commitment of the Community to maintain these principles. The Secretariat, therefore, looks forward to working with the ICRC to further the development of humanitarian laws and principles within the Community.

We also welcome the legal and technical support and assistance which will be made available from the ICRC through advisory missions and drafting support to CARICOM’s Legal Services and the Legislative Drafting Facility, as we seek to encourage the implementation of international humanitarian law by Member States.

Mr. Director, you can rest assured that in the CARICOM Secretariat, your organisation has a most willing partner in efforts to promote what is the most noble of human endeavours – seeking the welfare of one’s fellow human being.

I thank you.