Jean Pictet
Biographic Data
| ID | 5800325 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Jean Pictet |
| GIVEN NAMES | Jean |
| FAMILY NAME | Pictet |
| SIGNATURE | PICTET J |
| AFFILIATIONS | International Committee of the Red Cross |
| VERIFIED | No |
| TOTAL WORKS | 33 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 31 |
| WORKS AS AUTHOR | 33 |
| WORKS AS EDITOR | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 1951 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2002 |
| H-INDEX | 2 |
La formation du droit international humanitaire
Le titre donné à mon exposé paraîtra bien ambitieux ou du moins le sujet trop vaste. De fait, mon propos est de présenter, à bâtons rompus, quelques réflexions et expériences d'un praticien du droit humanitaire, qui a eu la chance insigne d'être associé à ce travail fascinant dès le début de sa carrière
De la Seconde Guerre mondiale à la Conférence diplomatique de 1949
Jean Pictet, a former Vice-President of the ICRC, is one of the chief architects of modern international humanitarian law. In an article entitled “The formation of international humanitarian law” and published (in English) in the Review (No. 244, January-February 1985, pp. 3–24), Pictet analysed the ideas and forces which led to the successful negotiation and adoption of the four Geneva Conventions of 1949
The formation of international humanitarian law
To mark his seventieth birthday, Jean Pictet, Honorary Vice-President of the ICRC, gave a lecture at the University of Geneva on 16 November 1984 entitled “The formation of international humanitarian law”. A remarkable summary of the development of humanitarian law in the twentieth century, it concludes with remarks which go well beyond the original subject. They express his thoughts about the difficult relationships between humanitarian imperati…
The First Geneva Convention
In ancient times some of the great commanders were accompanied on their campaigns by their personal doctors. The Romans had at least one doctor for each cohort (about 500 to 600 men), and a legion, which consisted of ten cohorts, had a medicus legionis , probably a sort of chief medical officer. At the time of the Crusades, the Sultan Saladin gave an example of humanity by authorizing the doctors of the adverse party to care for the Christian pri…
Manual of the Terminology of Public International Law (Law of Peace) and International Organizations — English, French, Spanish, Russian
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The Formation of International Humanitarian Law
The title of my talk may appear more than a little ambitious or the subject too extensive. What I intend to do, in fact, is to give here, in no particular order, some of the thoughts and experiences of one engaged in humanitarian law who had the great good fortune to be associated with this fascinating work from the beginning of his career
The medical profession and international humanitarian law
International humanitarian law, whose purpose is to attenuate the evils of war, has been intimately bound from its earliest days to doctors and all others whose mission in life is to heal—the noblest of all professions. The fact is that this law originated from the need to make up for the deficiencies of military medical services and protect those wounded in war. Since then, the law has gone far beyond that framerwork and has extended its protect…
The Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross and Peace—Significance of the principles for the spirit of peace
Since life began on earth, creatures have struggled against creatures. Through all ages, man has groaned under the sword and the yoke. The pages of history are stained with blood. Everywhere we see only slaughter, torture, oppression. Why? The famous physicist, Albert Einstein, haunted by the spectre of war, asked this question of Sigmund Freud, the famous psychologist, another man of genius
Bibliography of international humanitarian law
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The Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross (V)
The principle goes on to state that the Red Cross may not take sides in hostilities . This refers to neutrality in the military domain, and this is indeed the initial understanding of neutrality. The affirmation is an obvious one, but it is nonetheless essential. Some people have found it too laconic, even curt. It is true enough that the expression should apply to all forms of conflict and not only to military operations in the narrow sense. Fur…
The Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross (IX)
This heading also has three parts: universality in the strictest sense—a mixed principle comprising both substantive and organic aspects—the equality of National Societies and the solidarity among them, the latter two belonging to the organic domain
The Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross (VII)
The English title “Voluntary service”, which heads this chapter of the Proclamation and of this Commentary, is better than the French title “Caractère bénévole” (“Benevolent character”) which was adopted. In modern French language, the term “bénévoles” refers to persons who work without being paid, who donate their services
The Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross (VI)
The Red Cross is independent, the Proclamation states, in simple and lapidary terms. The statement of the conditions for recognition of new National Societies (Point 10) refers to political, religious and economic independence
The Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross (VIII)
Under the heading “unity”, the Proclamation brought together three concepts: unity, properly speaking, or uniqueness: there can be only one National Red Cross Society in any one country; multitudinism: it must be open to everyone; and generality in its action: it must extend throughout the entire territory
The Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross (IV)
The principle of proportionality, though it would seem self-evident, is nevertheless difficult to apply fully in real life, where it encounters numerous obstacles. Let us take some real examples from the Red Cross world. During the Second World War, the ICRC transported and distributed in prisoner-of-war camps of certain countries vast quantities of relief packages it received from the countries of origin of the prisoners. It accepted this task s…
The Henry Dunant Institute Today
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The Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross (II)
Francis Bacon once wrote that a man who does not treat his neighbour humanely is not truly human . The ideal of the Red Cross is much greater than its own action. It does not therefore limit itself to assistance and protection, but demands that everyone must respect the human person, his life, liberty and happiness—in other words, everything that constitutes his existence. This must naturally correspond to the requirements of public order and, in…
The Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross
The Twentieth International Red Cross Conference, meeting in Vienna in 1965, proclaimed the “fundamental principles upon which Red Cross action is based”. Since that time, at every Conference, the representatives of the Red Cross world rise to their feet to hear the solemn reading of those principles. The principles, however, have not yet been the subject of any commentary. The fact is that the book “ Les principes de la Croix-Rouge ”, the source…
The Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross (III)
We have said that this requirement is absolute. However, in exceptional circumstances, it may be necessary to make a choice; for instance, when a doctor or nurse, for want of medicines in sufficient quantities, is only in a position to cure a certain number of patients in his care. This is frequently a tragedy for the Red Cross, comparable to that of a raft which will sink if any more castaways cling to it. Can one, in all conscience, use an oar …
New aspects of international humanitarian law
The International Institute of Humanitarian Law in San Remo held its fourth Round Table on Present Problems of International Humanitarian Law from 30 August to 4 September 1977. The meeting was opened by Mr. Jean Pictet, Vice-President of the International Committee of the Red Cross; some extracts from his address are given below
Henry Dunant Institute
of the Council of Delegates of the International Red Cross, held in Geneva on 24 and 25 September 1975. The Assembly also noted with great satisfaction the resolution adopted unanimously by which the Council expressed its appreciation of the work so far accomplished by the Institute, with slender resources, and requested it to continue its task, at the same time urging the National Societies to collaborate with the Institute, to supply it with al…
The Swing of the Pendulum. A hundred years in the development of humanitarian law—1874–1973
The concept that man must be protected against the ills of war is not a recent one. It may be likened to a clear spring gushing out from time immemorial, increasing gradually in volume as it surges forth until its swollen waters are borne down upon us today. The sum of efforts that idea has aroused has grown, parallel to the rise of civilization with which it is indissolubly linked
The 25th Anniversary of the 1949 Geneva Conventions
August 12, 1949 was an important date in world history. It was on that day that the plenipotentiaries of some sixty States signed the fundamental charters of humanity which are known as the four Geneva Conventions, and which protect the victims of armed conflicts: the first, the military wounded and sick; the second, the victims of war at sea; the third, the prisoners of war; and the fourth—which was entirely new—civilians. After the suffering of…
The need to restore the Laws and Customs relating to armed Conflicts
Socrates recommended that one should begin a dissertation by denning one's terms. For some time now, the name, “humanitarian law”, has been used to describe the large body of public international law derived from humanitarian sentiments and centred upon the protection of the individual. The term has both a broad and a narrow sense. In the broad sense, international humanitarian law consists of those rules of international conventional and customa…
The Red Cross as a Factor in World Peace
The promotion of world peace, although of concern to the Red Cross, was for a long time outside the purview of its programme of action. However, after the First World War the International Red Cross, sharing the hopes of the nations, declared its intention to work thenceforth, not only in time of peace, but also for peace. Since that time, nearly all International Conferences of the Red Cross have adopted resolutions on the contribution which the…
The Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross
The Twentieth International Red Cross Conference, meeting in Vienna in 1965, proclaimed the “fundamental principles upon which Red Cross action is based”. Since that time, at every Conference, the representatives of the Red Cross world rise to their feet to hear the solemn reading of those principles. The principles, however, have not yet been the subject of any commentary. The fact is that the book “ Les principes de la Croix-Rouge ”, the source…
The New Geneva Conventions for the Protection of War Victims
The Geneva Conventions are the basis on which rest the rules of international law for the protection of the victims of armed conflicts
The principles of international humanitarian law (II)
Alongside the rules which constitute the enacting clauses of the international Conventions and which, in precise terms, set forth the contractual obligations of States, there exist principles from which these rules derive. “Certain ideas formulated with deliberate imprecision occupy a privileged position in treaties which describe them as being creative elements of law”
The formation of international humanitarian law
To mark his seventieth birthday, Jean Pictet, Honorary Vice-President of the ICRC, gave a lecture at the University of Geneva on 16 November 1984 entitled “The formation of international humanitarian law”. A remarkable summary of the development of humanitarian law in the twentieth century, it concludes with remarks which go well beyond the original subject. They express his thoughts about the difficult relationships between humanitarian imperati…
The medical profession and international humanitarian law
International humanitarian law, whose purpose is to attenuate the evils of war, has been intimately bound from its earliest days to doctors and all others whose mission in life is to heal—the noblest of all professions. The fact is that this law originated from the need to make up for the deficiencies of military medical services and protect those wounded in war. Since then, the law has gone far beyond that framerwork and has extended its protect…
The need to restore the Laws and Customs relating to armed Conflicts
Socrates recommended that one should begin a dissertation by denning one's terms. For some time now, the name, “humanitarian law”, has been used to describe the large body of public international law derived from humanitarian sentiments and centred upon the protection of the individual. The term has both a broad and a narrow sense. In the broad sense, international humanitarian law consists of those rules of international conventional and customa…
The principles of international humanitarian law (III)
The word “neuter” comes from the Latin ne-uter , which means, neither the one, nor the other. Neutrality is an essentially neutral notion. It qualifies above all the abstention of someone who remains outside a conflict who does not openly express an opinion of either side. In international law, neutrality is the opposite of belligerency. It is the position adopted, in relation to two Powers at war, by a State not taking part in the struggle. The …
The New Geneva Conventions for the Protection of War Victims
The Geneva Conventions are the basis on which rest the rules of international law for the protection of the victims of armed conflicts
The Laws of War
Heraclites of Ephesus said that war is the mother of the law of nations. Nothing could be more true for, alas, war is first and foremost in the relations among peoples. In 3,400 years of recorded history, there have been only 250 years of world peace
The Doctrine of the Red Cross
The work of the Red Cross is born of a high ideal, from which it continually draws fresh life, but as it primarily consists of practical actions, frequently improvised, there is a serious risk that in the haste of charitable action and in spite of the purity of one's intentions, one may deviate from the guiding principles and unity of thought may diminish, the more so as the institution takes root in every corner of the world. It is therefore par…
The foundation of the Red Cross—Some important documents
This would seem to be a good moment, in this month of February 1963 when the International Committee is celebrating the hundredth anniversary of its foundation, to publish once more documents of the greatest interest, since they throw light of considerable historic importance on the birth of the Red Cross. The material consists of the first minutes of what was known as the “Comité des Cinq” (Committee of Five), the Committee which was in fact the…
The first Geneva Convention
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Doctors in the service of the International Committee of the Red Cross
From the very beginning, the Red Cross has been closely linked, with doctors and with all whose task it is to heal, the finest of vocations. The Red Cross was in fact created a hundred years ago to provide against deficiencies in the Army Medical Services. This was an essentially medical factor which has continued to exist in every facet of Red Cross work, even when this work has exceeded its bounds and extended not only to the various victims of…
The principles of international humanitarian law (II)
Alongside the rules which constitute the enacting clauses of the international Conventions and which, in precise terms, set forth the contractual obligations of States, there exist principles from which these rules derive. “Certain ideas formulated with deliberate imprecision occupy a privileged position in treaties which describe them as being creative elements of law”
The principles of international humanitarian law (III)
The word “neuter” comes from the Latin ne-uter , which means, neither the one, nor the other. Neutrality is an essentially neutral notion. It qualifies above all the abstention of someone who remains outside a conflict who does not openly express an opinion of either side. In international law, neutrality is the opposite of belligerency. It is the position adopted, in relation to two Powers at war, by a State not taking part in the struggle. The …
The Red Cross as a Factor in World Peace
The promotion of world peace, although of concern to the Red Cross, was for a long time outside the purview of its programme of action. However, after the First World War the International Red Cross, sharing the hopes of the nations, declared its intention to work thenceforth, not only in time of peace, but also for peace. Since that time, nearly all International Conferences of the Red Cross have adopted resolutions on the contribution which the…
The need to restore the Laws and Customs relating to armed Conflicts
Socrates recommended that one should begin a dissertation by denning one's terms. For some time now, the name, “humanitarian law”, has been used to describe the large body of public international law derived from humanitarian sentiments and centred upon the protection of the individual. The term has both a broad and a narrow sense. In the broad sense, international humanitarian law consists of those rules of international conventional and customa…
The 25th Anniversary of the 1949 Geneva Conventions
August 12, 1949 was an important date in world history. It was on that day that the plenipotentiaries of some sixty States signed the fundamental charters of humanity which are known as the four Geneva Conventions, and which protect the victims of armed conflicts: the first, the military wounded and sick; the second, the victims of war at sea; the third, the prisoners of war; and the fourth—which was entirely new—civilians. After the suffering of…
The Swing of the Pendulum. A hundred years in the development of humanitarian law—1874–1973
The concept that man must be protected against the ills of war is not a recent one. It may be likened to a clear spring gushing out from time immemorial, increasing gradually in volume as it surges forth until its swollen waters are borne down upon us today. The sum of efforts that idea has aroused has grown, parallel to the rise of civilization with which it is indissolubly linked
Henry Dunant Institute
of the Council of Delegates of the International Red Cross, held in Geneva on 24 and 25 September 1975. The Assembly also noted with great satisfaction the resolution adopted unanimously by which the Council expressed its appreciation of the work so far accomplished by the Institute, with slender resources, and requested it to continue its task, at the same time urging the National Societies to collaborate with the Institute, to supply it with al…
New aspects of international humanitarian law
The International Institute of Humanitarian Law in San Remo held its fourth Round Table on Present Problems of International Humanitarian Law from 30 August to 4 September 1977. The meeting was opened by Mr. Jean Pictet, Vice-President of the International Committee of the Red Cross; some extracts from his address are given below
The Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross (IV)
The principle of proportionality, though it would seem self-evident, is nevertheless difficult to apply fully in real life, where it encounters numerous obstacles. Let us take some real examples from the Red Cross world. During the Second World War, the ICRC transported and distributed in prisoner-of-war camps of certain countries vast quantities of relief packages it received from the countries of origin of the prisoners. It accepted this task s…
The Henry Dunant Institute Today
An abstract is not available for this content so a preview has been provided. As you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button
The Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross (II)
Francis Bacon once wrote that a man who does not treat his neighbour humanely is not truly human . The ideal of the Red Cross is much greater than its own action. It does not therefore limit itself to assistance and protection, but demands that everyone must respect the human person, his life, liberty and happiness—in other words, everything that constitutes his existence. This must naturally correspond to the requirements of public order and, in…
The Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross
The Twentieth International Red Cross Conference, meeting in Vienna in 1965, proclaimed the “fundamental principles upon which Red Cross action is based”. Since that time, at every Conference, the representatives of the Red Cross world rise to their feet to hear the solemn reading of those principles. The principles, however, have not yet been the subject of any commentary. The fact is that the book “ Les principes de la Croix-Rouge ”, the source…
The Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross (III)
We have said that this requirement is absolute. However, in exceptional circumstances, it may be necessary to make a choice; for instance, when a doctor or nurse, for want of medicines in sufficient quantities, is only in a position to cure a certain number of patients in his care. This is frequently a tragedy for the Red Cross, comparable to that of a raft which will sink if any more castaways cling to it. Can one, in all conscience, use an oar …
The Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross (V)
The principle goes on to state that the Red Cross may not take sides in hostilities . This refers to neutrality in the military domain, and this is indeed the initial understanding of neutrality. The affirmation is an obvious one, but it is nonetheless essential. Some people have found it too laconic, even curt. It is true enough that the expression should apply to all forms of conflict and not only to military operations in the narrow sense. Fur…
The Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross (IX)
This heading also has three parts: universality in the strictest sense—a mixed principle comprising both substantive and organic aspects—the equality of National Societies and the solidarity among them, the latter two belonging to the organic domain
The Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross (VII)
The English title “Voluntary service”, which heads this chapter of the Proclamation and of this Commentary, is better than the French title “Caractère bénévole” (“Benevolent character”) which was adopted. In modern French language, the term “bénévoles” refers to persons who work without being paid, who donate their services
The Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross (VI)
The Red Cross is independent, the Proclamation states, in simple and lapidary terms. The statement of the conditions for recognition of new National Societies (Point 10) refers to political, religious and economic independence
The Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross (VIII)
Under the heading “unity”, the Proclamation brought together three concepts: unity, properly speaking, or uniqueness: there can be only one National Red Cross Society in any one country; multitudinism: it must be open to everyone; and generality in its action: it must extend throughout the entire territory
Bibliography of international humanitarian law
An abstract is not available for this content so a preview has been provided. Please use the Get access link above for information on how to access this content
Political science (31 works) · Law (30 works) · Law (30 works) · Global Peace and Security Dynamics (17 works) · Philosophy (16 works) · Philosophy (16 works) · Sociology (12 works) · Computer Science (11 works) · Epistemology (11 works) · Physics (11 works)