Neutrality of Red Cross in Question After Bun Rany’s Speech
It was the bloodiest battle since Waterloo. Yet the carnage wrought 150 years ago by the Italian and French troops, fighting under Napoleon III, and the forces of the Austrian Hungarian Empire, was overshadowed by its aftermath. While 30,000 had died on the battlefield, more than 40,000 succumbed to their injuries in the days following the fighting. The wounded and maimed sought aid in the northern Italian town of Castiglione—and received it, although the inhabitants were overwhelmed by the task. “Siamo tutti fratelli”—We are all brothers, the residents of the town said to both friends and foes. It was this altruism that inspired Jean Henry Dunant, a Swiss philanthropist, to found what is now known as the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, one of the world’s largest and most respected networks of humanitarian aid. Much has happened since its inception. National Red Cross and Crescent societies have been created in almost every country in the world, all adhering to the movement’s original principle: We are all one. The Cambodian Red Cross (CRC) states on its website: “In order to continue to enjoy the confidence of all, the Movement may not take sides in hostilities or engage at any time in controversies of a political, racial, religious or ideological nature.” While political neutrality is one of seven fundamental principles of the Red Cross, the local chapter is in the spotlight following a recent speech by CRC President Bun Rany, wife of Prime Minister Hun Sen. … The most generous donation during World Red Cross day in April was $3 million from the Booyoung Group—a Korean development company that had just broken ground on a new satellite city in Sen Sok district. In past years, the CRC has raised between $4 million and $8 million during the daylong event. Several CRC officials contacted this week declined to comment. Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan said last week that Ms. Rany’s stinging comments on behalf of the government were her own private views, and did not interfere with her work or that of the CRC. …
Denise Hruby
http://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/neutrality-of-red-cross-in-question-after-bun-ranys-speech-46497/
