Humanitarian Ethics and Principles

Humanitarian Principles

Humanity Saving lives and alleviating suffering wherever it is found

Impartiality Action based solely on the basis of need, without discrimination

between or within affected populations; Neutrality

Actions must not favour any side in an armed conflict or other dispute

Independence Humanitarian objectives are carried out with autonomy and

separate from the political, economic, military or other actors’ objectives where humanitarian action is being implemented.

WHAT WE SEEK TO ACHIEVE:

Humanity Well-being

Human rights Justice

Non-discrimination Dignity

Sustainability

HOW: Do a good job

CompetenceProfessionalismEfficiencyCredibilityAccountability

HOW: be fair, even-handed

IntegrityNeutralityIndependenceObjectivityImpartiality

HOW: Respect people

SensitivityPatienceDiversityCulture

HOW: Involve peopleParticipationPartnershipConsultationCooperation

HOW: Do no harm

DiscretionConfidentialitySecurityProhibition against abuse of

power

HOW: Play by the rules

Respect for international law national law host country mandate

WHAT WE SEEK TO ACHIEVE:

Humanity Well-being Human rights Justice

Non-discrimination Dignity Sustainability

Do a good job -CompetenceProfessionalismEfficiencyCredibilityAccountability

Be fair, even-handed: IntegrityNeutralityIndependenceObjectivityImpartiality

Respect peopleSensitivityPatienceDiversityCulture

Involve people:ParticipationPartnershipConsultationCooperation

Do no harm:DiscretionConfidentialitySecurityProhibition against abuse of power

Play by the rulesRespect for

- international law - national law - host country- mandate

HOW WE WORK:

Codes of Conduct

UN Charter/Humanitarian Charter

Codes of Ethical Behaviour

UN Secretary General’s Bulletin on Sexual Abuse and Exploitation

Others….

Do No Harm

How do negative effects result from our work in the field?

What can we do to prevent them?

Negative impacts: Institutional factors

Noncompliance/nonenforcement of codes of conduct. Insufficient analysis or contextual understanding Multiple institutional agendas and complex program

interaction. Insufficient guidelines or planning processes –

repeating mistakes. Insufficient understanding of, or commitment to, local

community structures and their future sustainability. Creating vulnerabilities to reprisals.

Exercises

Brainstorm – how principles help us in practice

Decision dilemmas