Switzerland: Improving respect for healthcare by law enforcement agencies in conflict and other emergencies

Improving respect for healthcare by law enforcement agencies in conflict and other emergencies

Call for proposals – Phase 1

Rationale and objectives

Health Care in Danger is a multidisciplinary RC/RC Movement initiative led by the ICRC, which aims at

· protecting the medical mission from violence and attacks and

· facilitating safe and secure access to care for those in need

in the context of conflict and other emergencies.

Throughout its evolution since its formal establishment in 2011 the Initiative has addressed multiple incarnations and aspects of violence against healthcare. The Initiative looked at the problem variously through the lenses of perpetrators, affected populations, types of healthcare services or tools/approaches.

State militaries and armed groups as perpetrators of violence and attacks have constituted a major area of focus and so have the topics of military doctrine, practice and training. However, law enforcement agencies and their interface with the HCID problematic have so far not been the focus of a dedicated workstream, even though anecdotally the ICRC has been aware of the major role these actors play in both facilitating and hindering access to healthcare: both as a source of violence and as an actor protecting facilities, staff and patients.

Specifically, the following sub-themes have been identified in a preliminary fashion and are expected to form part of the proposed project [1]:

1. Access for and regulation of medical transports (aspects of crowd control, mass demonstrations, traffic, etc.);

2. Police activities within health structures (medico-legal proceedings, interrogation and arrest of suspects, escort of sick prisoners);

3. Protection of hospital facilities from violence and insecurity by law enforcement authorities (reaction to adverse incidents, enforcement of weapon policies, crowd control, etc.).

The project will investigate the dynamics linked to the above mentioned sub-themes to provide recommendations that may be used by the ICRC in its dialogue with arms carriers performing a law enforcement role. Although all kinds of contexts are concerned, a clear focus should be set on applicability of solutions to other situations of violence, as opposed to armed conflict.

The project is envisioned as a multi-year endeavour and the present Call for Proposals is concerned with its Phase 1.

The ICRC is currently looking for a consultant that would satisfy the following criteria:

Phase 1: Terms of Reference

Deliverables:

· Mapping of key contexts globally where law enforcement operations interact/interfere with the delivery of healthcare

· Typology of ways in which law enforcement operations interact with provision of and access to healthcare using the above list as the point of departure

· Documentation of formal and grassroots mechanisms utilised by healthcare providers, law enforcement agencies and policy makers to safeguard healthcare in the context of law enforcement operations

· Findings from this desk-based exercise to be presented in an internal report of around 30 pages including references to source material

Desired profile:

· Excellent analytical and writing skills in English

· Familiarity with the ICRC mandate

· Familiarity with the thematic of protection of healthcare

· Familiarity with law enforcement issues

· Ability to provide consulting services in Switzerland or willingness to work through an agency

[1] The initial evidence gathering would reveal whether these three sub-themes really pertain to police exclusively or if there are military-related aspects too that have been missing from the work this far (e.g. in terms of positive obligations to protect health facilities from violations).

Interested parties should submit their proposals detailing the methodological approach and their fees to gva_hcid@icrc.org

Deadline for applications: 20.02.2019

Duration of assignment: four-six weeks