ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC's) institutional position, for the necessity for the ICRC to be able to access and engage meaningfully with all actors in situations of violence, including with opposition armed groups. It focuses on protection activities conducted intra-muros, in favour of people deprived of their liberty, or extra-muros in favour of the general population, including Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). It looks at some of the dilemmas, but before debating them it is necessary to understand the logic behind the ICRC's approach when working in the midst of violence. The chapter shows how difficult to establish a constructive dialogue with authorities and armed groups, especially when the aim is to push them to assume their responsibilities in preventing international humanitarian law (IHL) and/or human rights abuses. Direct dialogue with all parties to an armed conflict or another situation of violence is central to the operational identity of the ICRC.
