On Sunday 17 December a number of Iraqi Red Crescent Society staff and volunteers and other persons were abducted from one of the Society’s offices in Baghdad. As of today, some have been released, but many are still being held.

We are appealing for their immediate and unconditional release.

Iraqi Red Crescent staff are helping all Iraqis countrywide with humanity and impartiality, two of the seven principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. They are performing their humanitarian duties in dangerous circumstances and often pay a very high price for their commitment.

Iraqi Red Crescent staff are entitled to full protection under International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and they deserve our respect and support because of their work in support of the many Iraqis in dire need of help.

We strongly reaffirm our support for and solidarity with the Iraqi Red Crescent Society in these trying times.

We call on those who are holding the Iraqi Red Crescent staff members and other persons abducted on 17 December to respect their lives and dignity and to release them unharmed, immediately and unconditionally.

The Federation, the national Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (of which Jamaica Red Cross is one) and the International Committee of the Red Cross together constitute the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

The ICRC, which gave rise to the Movement, is an Independent humanitarian institution. As a neutral intermediary in the event of armed conflict or unrest, it endeavours, on its own initiative or on the basis of the Geneva Conventions, to bring protection and assistance to the victims of international and non-international armed conflict and internal disturbances and tension.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies promotes the humanitarian activities of National Societies among vulnerable people. By coordinating international disaster relief and encouraging development support, it seeks to prevent and alleviate human suffering.

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For further information on our activities and on IHL, please see our web sites: www.icrc.org and www.ifrc.org. If you need further information on the above release or to set up interviews, please call:

ICRC: Dorothea Krimitsas, Media Relations Officer Tel: + 41 22 730 2590/ + 41 79 251 9318

International Federation: Marie-Françoise Borel, Information Officer TeI: + 41 22 730 4346 /

           + 41 79 217 3345

Jamaica Red Cross: Trevesa DaSilva, Communication Officer Tel: 876 984 7860/1/2