International Committee tribute

In: International review of the Red Cross: humanitarian debate, law, policy, action, Band 16, Heft 182, S. 246-247

Abstract

As a mark of its deep gratitude to Mr. Hans Bachmann, who was recently nominated an honorary member, the ICRC has awarded him its silver medal. Mr. Bachmann was presented with the medal on 7 April 1976 at an informal meeting. In his address of thanks to his fellowmembers, he said:"When,early in 1942, Carl-J. Burchkardt agreed that I should join the International Committee as a novice—who had everything to learn— it proved to be a major blessing in my life ! The extraordinary personality of this exceptional man, the warmth of his heart, his sense of true proportions, his perspicacity in judging men and events—everything in him added up to make him a master who guides us through the whole course of our existence. His conception of the mission of the Red Cross— simple and effective provision of aid to those in distress—was in keeping with what he himself deeply felt. He placed the high competence he had acquired as a diplomat entirely at the service of a humanitarian task, and he believed that the art of diplomacy had to be performed with that same instinct with which natives found their way through virgin forests.