When one examines the origins and development of the Red Cross, one cannot fail to be struck by the contrast between the modest circumstances surrounding its creation, in 1863, by five men of good will, members of the Société genevoise d'utilité publique, and the worldwide dimension it has since then acquired. Today, the Red Cross is represented in 130 countries, and there are few people who have not at one time or another availed themselves of its services, either perhaps under dramatic circumstances during a conflict or a natural disaster, or simply in the more familiar areas of social welfare and blood collection.

In a rich and abundant literature on the subject of international humanitarian law, two trends in the interpretation of the term “humanitarian law” stand out: one takes it in its broad meaning, the other in a narrow sense. According to the definition by Jean S. Pictet, humanitarian law, in the broad interpretation, is constituted by all the international legal provisions, whether written or customary, ensuring respect for the individual and the development of his life. Humanitarian law includes two branches: the law of war and human rights. The law of war, still following Professor Pictet's definition, can be subdivided into two sections, that of The Hague, or the law of war, in the strict sense, and that of Geneva, or humanitarian law, in the narrow sense. It is often difficult to distinguish clearly between these branches of law, and especially between the law of The Hague and the law of Geneva, because of the reciprocal influence each has had on the development of the other, to the extent that some well-known experts considered the traditional difference between them out-of-date and superfluous.

The first Geneva Convention was signed in 1864. It dealt with the protection of the military sick and the wounded on the battlefield.

In 1899, thanks to The Hague Conventions, protection was extended to military wounded, sick and shipwrecked persons during maritime warfare.

The members of the ICRC were deeply sorry to hear, on 20 September 1984, of the sudden death of their fellow Committee member, Miss Andrée Weitzel.

Miss Weitzel had devoted almost her whole life to the problem of women in the armed forces.

We have the honour to inform you that the International Committee of the Red Cross, on 30 August 1984, officially recognized the Red Cross Society of Western Samoa.

Founded in 1952 as an overseas branch of the New Zealand Red Cross Society and independent since 1 January 1983, the Western Samoa Red Cross Society officially applied for recognition by the International Committee of the Red Cross on 21 June 1984. Its request was supported by various documents, including a copy of the most recent report on its activities, the text of its Statutes and a copy of the “Memorandum of Understanding” of 3 November 1983, by which the Government of Western Samoa recognizes it as a voluntary aid society auxiliary to the public authorities.

We have the honour of informing you that the International Committee of the Red Cross, on 30 August 1984, officially recognized the Barbados Red Cross Society.

Founded on 17 February 1960 as a branch of the British Red Cross, and independent since 31 July 1969, the Society applied for recognition by the International Committee on 16 June 1984. In support of its request it sent various documents, including several reports on its activities, the text of its Statutes and a copy of the “Barbados Red Cross Society Act, 1969”, wherein the Government of Barbados recognizes it as a voluntary aid society auxiliary to the public authorities.

We have the honour to inform you that on 30 August 1984 the International Committee of the Red Cross officially recognized the Red Crescent Society of the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen.

The new Society officially applied for recognition by the International Committee of the Red Cross on 28 May 1984. Its request was supported by various documents, including a copy of its most recent report on its activities, the text of its Statutes and an authenticated copy of the ministerial decree of 21 February 1984 certifying that the Government had recognized the Red Crescent Society as a voluntary aid society auxiliary to the public authorities and as the only Red Crescent Society of the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen.

The Swiss Government received from the Independent State of Western Samoa an instrument of succession, without reserve, to the four Geneva Conventions of 1949 and of accession to the two Additional Protocols of 1977. This instrument, dated 1 August 1984, was registered on 23 August 1984.

The People's Republic of Angola deposited with the Swiss Government, on 20 September 1984, an instrument of accession to the four Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949 and to the Additional Protocol I of 8 June 1977.

The Geneva Conventions and the Additional Protocol I will enter into force for the People's Republic of Angola on 20 March 1985.

After a mission by the President of the ICRC in July 1980 to the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya the government authorities of that country made a sizeable gift in cash to the ICRC and, at the same time, proposed setting up a special fund, the annual income of which would be used for financing the general protection and assistance activities of the ICRC.

Following the agreement with the authorities in Luanda, the ICRC spent July and August establishing the logistic structure necessary to launch a relief operation for some 200,000 persons displaced as a result of the conflict in Angola.

Leaders of the Red Cross Societies of Madagascar and Mauritius, of the French Red Cross in Réunion, of the Seychelles Red Cross Committee and of the Comoros Red Crescent Committee met for the first time, from 14 to 18 May 1984, at Saint-Denis de la Réunion. The French Red Cross was represented by Mr. M. Bocquet, Vice-President of the French National Red Cross, and Miss E. Bourel, National Director for the departmental branches; the League had delegated Mr. Cassaigneau, head of the “West and Central Africa” desk in Geneva, who was accompanied by Mr. E. Ekué, programme officer, and Mr. R. Carrillo, disaster preparedness programme officer; the ICRC had dispatched Mrs. J. Egger, head of the co-operation service, and Mr. L. Isler, of the ICRC regional delegation at Nairobi, also took part in the meeting.