Chapter

Jean Pictet, humanitarian law and the ICRC : some personal reflections

David P. Forsythe

Etudes et essais sur le droit international humanitaire et sur les principes de la Croix-Rouge : en l'honneur de Jean Pictet = Studies and essays on international humanitarian law and Red Cross principles : in honour of Jean Pictet

Genève : CICR ; La Haye : Nijhoff, 1984

p. 875-881

English

In this brief paper, the author reminisces about meeting Jean Pictet, using anecdotes to highlight Pictet’s views on “le droit humanitaire et la protection des victimes de la guerre.” The author first argues that Pictet had long recognized that, in addition to the suffering as a result of armed conflict, many people throughout the world suffered as a result of arbitrary justice within their own state. As such, Pictet believed it was important for the International Committee of the Red Cross to advocate for these individuals as well. Pictet recognized that states often cared little about the application of International Humanitarian Law (IHL), and would often endeavour to block its application where IHL did not serve their own interests. The author concludes that Pictet’s ability to easily and concisely explain complex matters of humanitarian law are of significant benefit to those interested in understanding or furthering humanitarian goals. [Summary by students at the University of Toronto, Faculty of Law (IHRP)]

• Etudes et essais sur le droit international humanitaire et sur les principes de la Croix-Rouge : en l'honneur de Jean Pictet = Studies and essays on international humanitarian law and Red Cross principles : in honour of Jean Pictet / Christophe Swina