Romancing principles and human rights: are humanitarian principles salvageable?

Gordon, Stuart and Donini, Antonio (2015) Romancing principles and human rights: are humanitarian principles salvageable? International Review of the Red Cross, 97 ( 897-8). pp. 77-109. ISSN 1816-3831

Preview

PDF - Accepted Version Download (810Kb) | Preview

• LSE expert's profile

• Published item via DOI

Abstract

“Classical” or “Dunantist” humanitarianism has traditionally been constructed around the core principles of neutrality (not taking sides) and impartiality (provision of assistance with no regard to ethnicity, religion, race or any other consideration, and proportional to need), plus the operational imperative (rather than a formal principle) to seek the consent of the belligerent parties. These principles, whilst never unchallenged, have dominated the contemporary discourse of humanitarianism and have been synonymous with or at least reflections of a presumed essential, enduring and universal set of humanitarian values. This paper offers a more dynamic and changing vision of the content of humanitarian action. It maps the origins and content of the “new humanitarian” critique of the humanitarian sector and principles and argues that this has both misrepresented the ethical content of neutrality and obscured what amount to significant operational adaptations that leave traditional humanitarianism well prepared for the contemporary operating environment.

Item Type:	Article
Official URL:	https://www.icrc.org/en/international-review
Additional Information:	© 2016 ICRC
Library of Congress subject classification:	J Political Science > JA Political science (General)
Sets:	Departments > International Development
Date Deposited:	23 Feb 2016 15:27
URL:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/65505/

Actions (login required)

Record administration - authorised staff only