American Red Cross Calls for the Immediate Release of Iraqi Red Crescent Hostages
WASHINGTON, Thursday, December 21, 2006 â€" The American Red Cross is appealing for the immediate release of those abducted from the Iraqi Red Crescent Society offices in Baghdad. As a member of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the American Red Cross has issued the following statement in support of the Iraqi Red Crescent Society staff and volunteers and other persons who were abducted Sunday, December 17.
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WASHINGTON, Thursday, December 21, 2006 — The American Red Cross is appealing for the immediate release of those abducted from the Iraqi Red Crescent Society offices in Baghdad. As a member of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the American Red Cross has issued the following statement in support of the Iraqi Red Crescent Society staff and volunteers and other persons who were abducted Sunday, December 17.
The statement from the American Red Cross follows:
"On Sunday 17 December a number of Iraqi Red Crescent Society staff and volunteers and other persons were abducted from one of the Society's offices in Baghdad. As of today, some have been released, but many are still being held.
"The American Red Cross is appealing for the immediate release of those abducted from the Iraqi Red Crescent Society offices in Baghdad.
"The American Red Cross stands in solidarity with the International Committee of the Red Cross, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the Iraqi Red Crescent and other Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in seeking the safe and immediate return of the humanitarian workers.
"Iraqi Red Crescent staff and volunteers are entitled to full protection under international humanitarian law and they deserve our respect and support because of their work in support of the many Iraqis in dire need of help. We call on those who are holding the Iraqi Red Crescent staff, volunteers and other persons abducted on 17 December to respect their lives and dignity and to release them unharmed, immediately and unconditionally.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with those who remain held against their will and with their families during these difficult days."
The American Red Cross helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Last year, almost a million volunteers and 35,000 employees helped victims of almost 75,000 disasters; taught lifesaving skills to millions; and helped U.S. service members separated from their families stay connected. Almost 4 million people gave blood through the Red Cross, the largest supplier of blood and blood products in the United States. The American Red Cross is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. An average of 91 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on donations of time, money, and blood to do its work.
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