On 7 August, Commissioner for Human Rights in the Russian Federation Ella Pamfilova met with Deputy Head of the ICRC regional delegation in Russia, Belorussia, and Moldova Bruno Uskine and the Protection Coordinator of the ICRC’s regional delegation in Russia and Belorussia Alessia Bertelli.

In the course of the meeting the participants discussed cooperation of the Human Rights Commissioner in Russia and the Red Cross in solving humanitarian issues. Mr Uskine reminded that the Red Cross was still very much concerned about the civilians living in the battle zone and appealed to all parties of the current military operation to ensure the full protection civilians, provided by the international humanitarian law norms. Bruno Uskine also repeated that “in some cases the Red Cross has already offered its services of a mediator”.

Ms Pamfilova underscored that all parties to the conflict must adhere to the adopted humanitarian norms ensuring the solution of humanitarian problems. The participants to the meeting shared the same opinion that any step enabling provision of medical aid to the injured or evacuation of them has a beneficial effect on the condition of the people having suffered from the conflict. At the same time, people shall be evacuated only upon agreement of both parties and the persons concerned.