Hundred years of international committee of Red Cross (1863-1963)

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This is fourth in the series of Red-Cross philately blogs. Here we focus on Red Cross stamps from 1963, a year when International committee of Red Cross (ICRC) turned hundred. This was yet another occasion, for the entire world to show solidarity. Just a year ago in 1962, more than 100 countries created a history, and issued postage stamps on malaria. Most of these stamps had global malaria eradication logo on them. Similarly in 1963, any countries issued postage stamps bearing the iconic red-cross, and its centenary logo.

Issuing a postage stamp needs advance planning. Usually postal authorities finalise stamp calendar more than a year in advance. For instance, suggestions, discussions, and lobbying for 1963 British issue started about four years early, in 1959. While ICRC had its centenary on 17th February, Many countries had their centenary issues on 8th May, coinciding with Henry Dunant’s birth-date. We observe International Red Cross Day on this date.

Being Swiss made ICRC neutral

Mr. Léopold Boissier, then aged 70 was President of ICRC in 1963. The same year it earned its fourth Nobel Peace Prize. On 11th December 1963, Boissier derived an acceptance lecture which elegantly describes why ICRC, a body that consists of Swiss Nationals alone, and which self-nominates its members is still so valuable.

“The International Committee is admitted on the territory of belligerents for the sole reason that its members are citizens of a small country, with no political ambitions but with a tradition of complete neutrality.”

“Governments can, therefore, have full confidence in its impartiality. The International Committee has no material power. It has no arms and would not even know how to resort to diplomatic maneuver. But its apparent weakness is offset by its moral authority.”

“The practical activities of the International Committee are threefold: protection of war victims, information on missing persons, relief in countries afflicted by war.”

“In a world where selfish or ideological interests are in conflict, one institution alone stands apart from struggles of this nature. It will always act, without any thought of self-interest, in complete independence and in obedience to its belief that suffering, being a cruel reality, must be alleviated without prejudice of any kind.“

ICRC laurels in its 100 year journey

In 1864, in the first year of inception, ICRC drafted first Geneva Conventions. Countries that adopted this convention agreed to “Amelioration of the Condition of the Sick and Wounded in the Field”. In 1929, this was revised to the second Geneva convention, that mandated humane treatment to prisoners of war. After the horrors of Second World War, in 1949 nations drew two more conventions – governing protection to victims in sea, and human rights for protection of civilians. ICRC is custodian of all these conventions.

As wars divide nations, ICRC remains a link between the two sides. The 1963 philately tribute to its centenary, reflects this concept. Even if countries are at different end of political and ideologic spectrum, they celebrate the organisation, that continues as a neutral contributor.

In its centenary year, ICRC reflected on its past and extended gratitude to all the national societies that have contributed to its work. In the Fifth and last forthcoming blog in the series, we will present Red Cross philately in the last sixty years.