Within the general right of spiritual assistance there is a distinction between the right to receive assistance and the right to give it. These rights are based on the right of religious freedom.

If they are to be exercised, these rights necessitate means—hence the right to aid—and agents—hence the rights of relief societies.

The principle goes on to state that the Red Cross may not take sides in hostilities. This refers to neutrality in the military domain, and this is indeed the initial understanding of neutrality.

The affirmation is an obvious one, but it is nonetheless essential. Some people have found it too laconic, even curt. It is true enough that the expression should apply to all forms of conflict and not only to military operations in the narrow sense. Furthermore, it should cover not only conflicts between nations but also civil wars and internal disorders. It might accordingly be better to say, the Red Cross may not take sides in armed conflicts of any kind.

The news of Professor Eric Martin's sudden death on 6 January, in his eightieth year, was keenly felt by the International Committee and by all who knew him.

The International Committee of the Red Cross was grieved to learn of the sudden death in a car accident on 17 January 1980 of Miss Christine Rieben, a delegate in Uganda.

The Maurice de Madre French Fund was founded a few years ago with a large legacy bequeathed to the ICRC.

On 20 November 1978 a circular was sent to all National Societies reminding them of the existence of the Fund and inviting them to apply, in the first quarter of each year, for allocations to their delegates or nurses who qualify for grants from the Fund.

In November and December 1979, the ICRC delegation continued its various activities arising from the conflict in Rhodesia. In November, it distributed 269 tons of foodstuffs, 1,500 blankets, 3,000 items of clothing and 7 tons of soap to about 81,000 displaced persons. The value of the goods distributed was about 168,000 Swiss francs.