News - Red Crescent staff abducted in Baghdad
Source: British Red Cross Society - UK
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The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has called for the immediate and unconditional release of all persons abducted from one of the
Iraqi Red Crescent Society offices in Baghdad.Some 30 people, most of them Iraqi Red Crescent workers, were kidnapped by unidentified armed men in the morning of Sunday 17 December from their
office in the Iraqi capital.Shortly afterwards, ICRC director of operations Pierre Krähenbühl appealed for the unconditional and immediate release of the Iraqi Red Crescent staff and
of all others abducted with them.
"I call upon those who carried out the kidnapping at the Iraqi Red Crescent office to immediately release all the abducted persons unharmed," he said.
"Iraqi Red Crescent workers provide vital help for all Iraqis in need. They do so with devotion and with humanity. They must be respected and supported, not harmed."The Iraqi Red Crescent offices are clearly identified by the red crescent emblem. The staff working for this humanitarian organisation are entitled to full protection under international humanitarian law.
"I call upon those who carried out the kidnapping at the Iraqi Red Crescent office to immediately release all the abducted persons unharmed," he said.
"Iraqi Red Crescent workers provide vital help for all Iraqis in need. They do so with devotion and with humanity. They must be respected and supported, not harmed."The Iraqi Red Crescent offices are clearly identified by the red crescent emblem. The staff working for this humanitarian organisation are entitled to full protection under international humanitarian law.
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