Actions taken:
Based on the law of Georgia “About Georgia Red Cross Society”, the National Society ensures respect for the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) rules through dissemination of knowledge and facilitation of observance of these rules at the National level. The implementation of IHL is a primary objective of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and National Societies are well placed to promote implementation within their areas of operation/countries.
Georgia Red Cross Society:
- Is an observer in the Inter-Agency Commission of IHL as of 2014. Georgia Red Cross Society is involved in the working groups about the various IHL issues along with relevant Ministries. The Inter-Agency IHL Commission adopts the National Action Plan of Implementation of International Humanitarian Law, the Georgia Red Cross Society is a part of the National Action Plan. National Society supports the government in its various activities. In the framework of its National Action Plan, Ministry of Justice elaborated legislative initiative related to the law of Georgia “About Georgia Red Cross Society” as well as the law of Georgia “About the use and protection of the Red Cross, the Red Crescent and the Red Crystal emblems and names” and promoted it to the parliament.
- Has elaborated 2 types of case studies on the fundamental principles of the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement for awareness rising. Legal Adviser of the Georgia Red Cross Society, executive managers of the branches always use the case studies during the working meetings, trainings with new/old volunteers. Chairpersons of the branches are permanently trained on the Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement and the case studies are the best way for them to use the Fundamental Principles in practice.
- Always shares information during the meetings with volunteers and stakeholders about the legitimate use of the Red Cross Emblem as one of the most important aspects of IHL. The Georgia Red Cross Society always records the cases of illegal use of Emblem(s) and shares information about the Law of Georgia “About use and protection of the Red Cross, the Red Crescent and the Red Crystal Emblems and Names”.
Success Story:
Tamari Sakhltkhutsishvili, Chairperson of Gori Branch –
“ I always get information about the basis of IHL during working meetings and branch forums of the Georgia Red Cross Society. Case studies on the fundamental principles of the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement was very useful for me, because I always knew the importance and the meaning of the Fundamental Principles during the implementation of each activity at the branch level as well as in the HQ level, but the case studies gave me an opportunity to use the fundamental principles in practice. Gori branch is the permanent member of the Standing Advisory Council of the City Hall of Gori Municipality. The Advisory Council is comprised of the representatives of several NGOs and the local government. I am the voice of the Georgia Red Cross Society there and I have to act based on the fundamental principles during the meetings. I always use the practical knowledge which I gained during the discussions about the Case Studies”.
