This study emerges from the author’s academic background combined with years of hands-on experience with the Red Cross. As a volunteer since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and currently overseeing missions for international cooperation, the author has long been particularly drawn to the Central Tracing Agency of the International Committee of the Red Cross. The Agency's mission to connect families, overcome physical barriers, and prioritize the alleviation of moral suffering (alongside physical suffering) has always captivated her. To gain a deeper understanding of this subject, the author recognized the necessity of historical and legal analysis. Thus, this research examines the historical developments leading to the establishment of the contemporary Central Tracing Agency, spanning from 1870 to the present day. It begins with the Basle Agency during the Franco-Prussian War and the Belgrade Agency in the Balkan War, tracing the evolution of information and aid bureaux through World Wars, with a focus on the International Prisoners of War Agency and the Central Prisoners of War Agency. The thesis highlights the continuity of the CTA’s functions from these earlier entities, showing that its core administrative responsibilities have endured, albeit in an evolved form, particularly in alleviating moral suffering and protecting prisoners of war. Central to the research is an analysis of the activities and structural adaptations, especially regarding correspondence methods, innovations in information exchange, and tracing services during conflicts. The study pays significant interest to the evolution of international humanitarian law, particularly the Geneva Conventions, assessing their impact on state roles and the distinctions between international and internal conflicts. While the 1949 Geneva Conventions require the establishment of information and aid bureaux during conflicts, the absence of a legal obligation for states to recognize the International Committee of the Red Cross’ authority is addressed, illustrating how the organization has historically filled this crucial role. Organized into six chapters, the thesis analyzes key dimensions of legal, historical, and structural evolution. Each chapter provides insights into specific periods and developments, culminating in an exploration of the CTA’s current activities. This research, drawing extensively from ICRC archives and various legal sources, aims to offer a comprehensive understanding of the CTA’s evolution and the legal frameworks that underpin its operations, contributing valuable insights into the protection of war victims, both prisoners of war and civilians.

This study emerges from the author’s academic background combined with years of hands-on experience with the Red Cross. As a volunteer since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and currently overseeing missions for international cooperation, the author has long been particularly drawn to the Central Tracing Agency of the International Committee of the Red Cross. The Agency's mission to connect families, overcome physical barriers, and prioritize the alleviation of moral suffering (alongside physical suffering) has always captivated her. To gain a deeper understanding of this subject, the author recognized the necessity of historical and legal analysis. Thus, this research examines the historical developments leading to the establishment of the contemporary Central Tracing Agency, spanning from 1870 to the present day. It begins with the Basle Agency during the Franco-Prussian War and the Belgrade Agency in the Balkan War, tracing the evolution of information and aid bureaux through World Wars, with a focus on the International Prisoners of War Agency and the Central Prisoners of War Agency. The thesis highlights the continuity of the CTA’s functions from these earlier entities, showing that its core administrative responsibilities have endured, albeit in an evolved form, particularly in alleviating moral suffering and protecting prisoners of war. Central to the research is an analysis of the activities and structural adaptations, especially regarding correspondence methods, innovations in information exchange, and tracing services during conflicts. The study pays significant interest to the evolution of international humanitarian law, particularly the Geneva Conventions, assessing their impact on state roles and the distinctions between international and internal conflicts. While the 1949 Geneva Conventions require the establishment of information and aid bureaux during conflicts, the absence of a legal obligation for states to recognize the International Committee of the Red Cross’ authority is addressed, illustrating how the organization has historically filled this crucial role. Organized into six chapters, the thesis analyzes key dimensions of legal, historical, and structural evolution. Each chapter provides insights into specific periods and developments, culminating in an exploration of the CTA’s current activities. This research, drawing extensively from ICRC archives and various legal sources, aims to offer a comprehensive understanding of the CTA’s evolution and the legal frameworks that underpin its operations, contributing valuable insights into the protection of war victims, both prisoners of war and civilians.

Moral suffering and protection of prisoners of war: the Central Tracing Agency from the Franco-Prussian war to the present

CONTIS, CARLOTTA
2023/2024

Abstract

This study emerges from the author’s academic background combined with years of hands-on experience with the Red Cross. As a volunteer since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and currently overseeing missions for international cooperation, the author has long been particularly drawn to the Central Tracing Agency of the International Committee of the Red Cross. The Agency's mission to connect families, overcome physical barriers, and prioritize the alleviation of moral suffering (alongside physical suffering) has always captivated her. To gain a deeper understanding of this subject, the author recognized the necessity of historical and legal analysis. Thus, this research examines the historical developments leading to the establishment of the contemporary Central Tracing Agency, spanning from 1870 to the present day. It begins with the Basle Agency during the Franco-Prussian War and the Belgrade Agency in the Balkan War, tracing the evolution of information and aid bureaux through World Wars, with a focus on the International Prisoners of War Agency and the Central Prisoners of War Agency. The thesis highlights the continuity of the CTA’s functions from these earlier entities, showing that its core administrative responsibilities have endured, albeit in an evolved form, particularly in alleviating moral suffering and protecting prisoners of war. Central to the research is an analysis of the activities and structural adaptations, especially regarding correspondence methods, innovations in information exchange, and tracing services during conflicts. The study pays significant interest to the evolution of international humanitarian law, particularly the Geneva Conventions, assessing their impact on state roles and the distinctions between international and internal conflicts. While the 1949 Geneva Conventions require the establishment of information and aid bureaux during conflicts, the absence of a legal obligation for states to recognize the International Committee of the Red Cross’ authority is addressed, illustrating how the organization has historically filled this crucial role. Organized into six chapters, the thesis analyzes key dimensions of legal, historical, and structural evolution. Each chapter provides insights into specific periods and developments, culminating in an exploration of the CTA’s current activities. This research, drawing extensively from ICRC archives and various legal sources, aims to offer a comprehensive understanding of the CTA’s evolution and the legal frameworks that underpin its operations, contributing valuable insights into the protection of war victims, both prisoners of war and civilians.
2023
Moral suffering and protection of prisoners of war: the Central Tracing Agency from the Franco-Prussian war to the present
This study emerges from the author’s academic background combined with years of hands-on experience with the Red Cross. As a volunteer since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and currently overseeing missions for international cooperation, the author has long been particularly drawn to the Central Tracing Agency of the International Committee of the Red Cross. The Agency's mission to connect families, overcome physical barriers, and prioritize the alleviation of moral suffering (alongside physical suffering) has always captivated her. To gain a deeper understanding of this subject, the author recognized the necessity of historical and legal analysis. Thus, this research examines the historical developments leading to the establishment of the contemporary Central Tracing Agency, spanning from 1870 to the present day. It begins with the Basle Agency during the Franco-Prussian War and the Belgrade Agency in the Balkan War, tracing the evolution of information and aid bureaux through World Wars, with a focus on the International Prisoners of War Agency and the Central Prisoners of War Agency. The thesis highlights the continuity of the CTA’s functions from these earlier entities, showing that its core administrative responsibilities have endured, albeit in an evolved form, particularly in alleviating moral suffering and protecting prisoners of war. Central to the research is an analysis of the activities and structural adaptations, especially regarding correspondence methods, innovations in information exchange, and tracing services during conflicts. The study pays significant interest to the evolution of international humanitarian law, particularly the Geneva Conventions, assessing their impact on state roles and the distinctions between international and internal conflicts. While the 1949 Geneva Conventions require the establishment of information and aid bureaux during conflicts, the absence of a legal obligation for states to recognize the International Committee of the Red Cross’ authority is addressed, illustrating how the organization has historically filled this crucial role. Organized into six chapters, the thesis analyzes key dimensions of legal, historical, and structural evolution. Each chapter provides insights into specific periods and developments, culminating in an exploration of the CTA’s current activities. This research, drawing extensively from ICRC archives and various legal sources, aims to offer a comprehensive understanding of the CTA’s evolution and the legal frameworks that underpin its operations, contributing valuable insights into the protection of war victims, both prisoners of war and civilians.
ICRC
CTA
international law
Geneva Conventions
moral suffering
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12608/77427