ICRC head concludes visit to Moscow, notes concern on POW

DURING her visit to Moscow, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) President Mirjana Spoljaric raised the importance of upholding international humanitarian law and additional critical humanitarian concerns related to the international armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

She also discussed the situation in other conflict-affected areas, including Syria, the Sahel region and the Horn of Africa.

Spoljaric met with Foreign Minister Lavrov; Deputy Minister of Defense Colonel General Fomin; and High Commissioner for Human Rights Mrs. Moskalkova. She also met with the President of the Russian Red Cross Mr. Savchuk.

This was her first trip to Moscow as ICRC president and follows a trip to Ukraine last month where she met with officials and communities affected by the international armed conflict.

One of her priorities is that prisoners of war (POW) are treated humanely and receive regular ICRC visits.

So far, the ICRC has only had some access to POW to monitor their conditions of detention and treatment, share much-awaited news with their families and provide essential assistance. Thousands more not seen have the right to receive a visit from ICRC, she said.

According to Spoljaric, it is time to see meaningful progress.

“Lives are at stake, and people on both sides of the international armed conflict are desperate for news of their loved ones. That is why we are urgently seeking full, unimpeded, and regular access to all prisoners of war, wherever they are held,” the ICRC chied added.