MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Falklands will receive a visit from the International Red Cross
The Argentine Memorial in Darwin which holds the remains of Argentine combatants from the 1982 South Atlantic conflict 
Laurent Corbaz, will be heading the International Committee of the Red Cross scheduled to arrive in the Falklands next 27 June A four person delegation from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) will be visiting the Falkland Islands from 27 June to 2 July, as part of the humanitarian mission to help identify the mortal remains of unnamed Argentine combatants buried at the Argentine memorial in Darwin.
A release from the Falklands government indicates that this highly sensitive subject is in accordance with the Geneva Conventions. It also points out that “the visit is an opportunity for the local community to talk with both the ICRC and FIG about this project and the issues around it.”
Follows the full release:
The UK and Falkland Islands Governments have been considering how they can best facilitate the humanitarian mission of identifying the remains of fallen Argentine soldiers at Darwin Cemetery in accordance with their protection under the Geneva Conventions.
Following these discussions, and a visit of representatives of the Permanent Mission of the UK to the United Nations in Geneva and MLA Summers to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) headquarters in Geneva late last year, FIG will welcome a four-person delegation from the ICRC to visit the Falkland Islands from the 27th June to the 2nd July 2016.
All parties concerned recognize that this is a sensitive subject for all involved. This visit is an opportunity for the local community to talk with both the ICRC and FIG about this project and the issues around it.
This scoping mission is the next step in the process and intends to enable:
•Assessment of the logistical and technical requirements for carrying out the humanitarian mission of identification of the mortal remains.
•Discussion on this project and the independent intermediary role of the ICRC.
•Discussion with the ICRC on the process followed to date and on the process moving forwards, including details of the process of DNA identification and how it is carried out.
•The ICRC to be fully informed of the practical, logistical and regulatory work required for this project to proceed.
The visit program will be published in full in the coming days and it will include opportunities for the community to speak with the MLAs and the ICRC delegation, led by Mr. Laurent Corbaz.
Top Comments
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Read all commentsI look forward to the ICRC's thoughts on the subject of DNA testing of the fallen. I am sure that the FALKLANDERS will treat the ICRC members with respect. See Argentina, that is how it is done without all the fanfare, but with dignity.
Jun 17th, 2016 - 07:20 am 0I still reckon that the best option would be to dig up all the remains and send them to argieland. Then their tests could be carried out to their hearts' content. We'd be able to get a confirmation that Macri wants to continue the illegitimate “claim”.
Jun 17th, 2016 - 08:07 am 0But, failing that, there should be a strict control over the number of argie “scientists” permitted to enter the Falklands. There should also be a strict time limit and the argies should be required to construct a tent encampment at the site and be restricted to it. No wandering around the Islands spying. And armed British and FI troops should be assigned as guards. Including convoying the argies to and from the airport. Islanders might want to consider requiring the argies to fly into Port Stanley Airport, thereby restricting the number of personnel that can be flown in. They could also have the pleasure of being driven across East Falkland in a bus with blacked-out windows.
ICRC to that greatly respected in the Islands - it is likely to be asked for some explanations of its bias in June 1982 in turning a blind eye to blatant Arg breaches of the Geneva Convention by their “Hospital Ship” which transported fresh soldiers,ammunition and missiles to Stanley
Jun 17th, 2016 - 10:53 am 0Used its searchlights to light up a speedboat attack by UK forces on Arg postions around Stanley in the closing stages to Arg gunners could see and fire at them.
Apparently made no criticism of the Arg treatement of civilians at GooseGreen
even when it became public after they had been freed from forced captivity end on May.
It will be interesting to see what they have to say for themselves this time.
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