From Syria to Ukraine, families wait for news. We help bring answers – and hope.

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A hand-drawn illustration shows three figures behind bars. Above them, the word "Humanity" is written in red. Below, the text reads, "must not disappear behind bars." ([link removed] )

No matter the circumstances, every person deserves dignity, even behind bars. Click and share our gif!

Dear reader,

A prison cell does not erase a person’s worth.

Around the world in conflict affected places, tens of thousands wait behind bars and barbed wire – for news from loved ones, for someone to remember they are human. The Geneva Conventions are clear: torture, inhumane or degrading treatment in detention are prohibited. A uniform or a registration number must never be a license for cruelty.

This summer, we mark two powerful reminders of this principle: the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture on 26 June, and on 18 July, the legacy of Nelson Mandela – one of the world’s most renowned former detainees – whom ICRC delegates visited throughout his imprisonment.

In this issue, we turn our focus to the fight for dignity in detention and to those behind bars: prisoners of war, detainees, and people who have vanished without a trace, leaving families desperately waiting for news. Others, like Iryna’s son, are found – their voices restored through a single call.

That is why we’re there. Our teams strive for access to places of detention, speak privately with detainees, check on their conditions, and when feasible, work alongside authorities to help improve them. This effort – often discreet – is led by the belief that while freedom can be lost, humanity never should be.

ICRC President: “The path to peace starts in a prison cell”

ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric delivers a statement to the UN Security Council in New York on 22 May 2025. ICRC ([link removed] )

ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric addressing the United Nations Security Council in New York on 22 May 2025.

At the United Nations Security Council in May, ICRC President, Mirjana Spoljaric, issued an urgent reminder: wars may be fought by armies – but peace begins with how we treat people.

“The way wars are fought influences how they end. The path to peace starts in a prison cell. It starts with treating prisoners with the very same dignity that you would demand for yourself. Peace starts with treating the wounded, reconnecting separated families, and sparing civilians from harm.”

Spoljaric urged world leaders to act – not just speak – in defense of international humanitarian law:

"No one wants to live in a world where the rules of war apply only to your enemies. Your state may not be at war today. Your family may be far from front lines. But tides turn. New conflicts erupt. Ignoring these rules is a race to the moral bottom – a fast track to chaos and irreversible despair."

Read the full statement.
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“I love you, I’m waiting”: A mother’s message across the front lines

Iryna looking at a photograph of her son. ([link removed] )

Every message from a loved one in wartime is an immeasurable relief, a glimmer of hope. When Iryna heard her son’s birthday greeting – delivered by an ICRC staff member – it brought laughter, tears, and a renewed sense of strength.

Discover how one message from a prisoner of war gave a mother something to hold on to.

Read more about thousands, like Iryna, who are waiting.
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Syria’s missing: After 14 years, families begin to receive answers

During armed conflict, detention can also be a place where people go missing. ICRC

For 14 years, families in Syria have waited for answers – enduring the anguish of not knowing the fate of their loved ones. Now, a breakthrough brings long-awaited news about missing loved ones.

Hear from our Syria head, Stephan Sakalian, as he recounts his visit to Sednayah Prison.

Listen to what Stephen Sakalian witnessed firsthand.
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When freedom is lost, hope must not be: Helping detainees in times of war

Video showing how the ICRC prevents ill-treatment in detention ([link removed] )

When war breaks out, families fear the worst.

Our mission: to reach detainees, ensure they’re treated humanely, and help them reconnect with loved ones. And authorities in charge of their detention play a crucial role in making this possible.

No family should lose contact with a loved one during wartime.

Learn more about our work to help detainees.
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The ICRC is neutral, but we are not bystanders

Neutrality in action: ICRC ambulances move through crowds during a hostage release operation in Gaza. ICRC

We work in some of the world’s most challenging places – sometimes successfully, sometimes less so. What makes our work possible is neutrality. We don’t take sides in political or ideological disputes. Instead, we focus solely on helping people affected by armed conflict, whoever and wherever they are.

Neutrality can be misunderstood. While we rarely speak out publicly, we are never silent where we can have influence. Quiet, behind-the-scenes diplomacy allows us to press both sides to respect the laws of war and protect civilians.

This approach may draw criticism – but it works. In places like Colombia, Yemen, Nigeria and many others, it’s helped us reach those in need, build trust, and reach our ultimate goal: protecting all civilians.

Read why neutrality is our strongest tool.
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From numbers to names: Restoring humanity in detention

The way people are treated within places of detention must be based on international humanitarian law, not on rhetoric. ICRC

The Geneva Conventions were born out of the smoldering ruins of war – out of genocide, out of mass suffering – to counter the complete dehumanization of millions of civilians and of prisoners.

Much has been achieved since, but when we look at the inhumane prison conditions in which people are held in so many of today’s conflicts, it is not good enough. What purpose can humanitarian law possibly serve if the people it is meant to protect have already been dehumanized?

In this blog post, Terry Hackett who leads the ICRC unit on Persons Deprived of Liberty, urges us to see people – not prisoners – and protect the dignity and rights of detainees globally.

Learn why every name and every story matters.
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In photos - Through the lens of suffering and strength: Saher Alghorra wins ICRC’s 2025 Humanitarian Visa d’or

Palestinian women, crushed in the crowd, try to get food from a community kitchen amid a deepening food crisis, as the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip. Saher ALGHORRA/Zuma Press

Palestinian photojournalist Saher Alghorra has been named the 2025 recipient of the ICRC’s Humanitarian Visa d’or award for his powerful work in Gaza. His award-winning photo series "We Have No Escape" offers a haunting, intimate look at the human cost of conflict, bearing witness to suffering, survival, and the quiet strength of civilians caught in the crossfire.

Through his lens, Alghorra brings us face-to-face with the realities of war in Gaza. His photo series captures resilience amid devastation, paying tribute to lives forever changed. The ICRC is proud to recognize his commitment to truth, dignity, and humanity.

Witness Gaza through the lens of courage and truth.
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