A atuação do Comitê Internacional da Cruz Vermelha sobre os direitos humanos de prisioneiras de guerra: o caso de Ravensbrück

Abstract

This work investigates the role of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on the human rights of prisoners of war, with specific analysis of the Ravnesbrück case. Through a descriptive qualitative methodology based on documentary bibliographic search, we seek to understand how the ICRC's work took place in Ravensbrück, as well as to demonstrate events in a more explicit and optimized manner, strengthening the human rights studies of prisoners of war and thereby, highlighting the scarcely discussed and scarcely perceptible questions about Ravensbrück's concentration camp. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), among other assignments, acts to protect international humanitarian law (IHL) as well as to ensure the lives and dignity of people in times of conflict, whether internal or international. Herewith, we deal first with the theoretical basis pertinent to the theme. In addition, we address historical elements that underlie the constitution of the Ravensbrück Concentration Camp, demonstrating the main elements that gave rise to this situation and, finally, we present a synthesis of the data and testimonials collected about the action of the International Committee of the Red Cross in the camp during The Second World War. From the analysis, it was concluded that the ICRC's work in Ravensbrück was, during much of the conflict, fraught with obstacles and difficulties, as well as lacking and not comprehensive. However, at the end of the war, even if belatedly, the International Committee of the Red Cross sought to carry out its mission of ensuring humanitarian protection and assistance to victims of armed conflict and was essential in helping and releasing the prisoners of Ravensbrück. However, failing in its attempt to secure the protection of prisoners of war during this conflict