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considerations may also limit access by impartial humanitarian organizations to militaryoperations. For example, the GPW obligates a Detaining Power to protect POWs from “publiccuriosity,” which may entail limiting access to POWs by private organizations. 5004.26.2.2 Impartial Humanitarian Organizations – CCW Amended Mines ProtocolObligation. In certain cases, however, there may be an obligation to take measures to helpprotect the personnel of certain humanitarian organizations that are performing functions withthe consent of the Party the CCW Amended Mines Protocol on whose territory the functions areperformed from the effects of mines, booby-traps, and other devices. 5014.26.3 Special Status of the ICRC. The 1949 Geneva Conventions explicitly recognizethe special position of the ICRC among impartial humanitarian organizations. 502 Similarly,Congress has specifically authorized – and the President has designated – the ICRC to beextended the same privileges and immunities that are afforded to public internationalorganizations in which the United States participates. 503 The President has also recognized therole of the ICRC in visiting individuals detained in armed conflict. 504 The United States hasrelied on the ICRC’s capacity, particularly in conflict situations, and has contributedsubstantially to the ICRC’s work. 505 The United States has maintained a very constructivedialogue with the ICRC.The ICRC does important work in visiting detainees, facilitating communication betweendetainees and their families, organizing relief operations, and undertaking similar humanitarianactivities during armed conflicts. For example, the ICRC has performed the functions of a500 Refer to § 9.5.3 (Protection Against Insults and Public Curiosity).501 Refer to § 6.12.11 (Obligation to Seek to Protect Certain Groups From the Effects of Minefields, Mined Areas,Mines, Booby-Traps, and Other Devices).502 See, e.g., GPW art. 125 (“The special position of the International Committee of the Red Cross in this field shallbe recognized and respected at all times.”); GC art. 142 (same).503 See 22 U.S.C. § 288f-3 (“The International Committee of the Red Cross, in view of its unique status as animpartial humanitarian body named in the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and assisting in their implementation, shallbe considered to be an international organization for the purposes of this subchapter and may be extended theprovisions of this subchapter in the same manner, to the same extent, and subject to the same conditions, as suchprovisions may be extended to a public international organization in which the United States participates pursuant toany treaty or under the authority of any Act of Congress authorizing such participation or making an appropriationfor such participation.”); Executive Order 12643, International Committee of the Red Cross, 53 FEDERAL REGISTER24247 (Jun. 23, 1988) (“I hereby extend to the International Committee of the Red Cross the privileges, exemptions,and immunities provided by the International Organizations Immunities Act.”).504 Refer to § 8.10.4 (ICRC Access to Detainees).505 Gary Robbins, Chargé d’Affaires, Department of State, U.S. Mission to the Organization for Security andCooperation in Europe, Response to Ambassador Peter Maurer, President of the International Committee of the RedCross, Jan. 30, 2014 (“We honor the work that the ICRC has done over the past 150 years. With its foundingprinciples of impartiality, neutrality, and independence, the ICRC is able to carry out crucial work where otherscannot. The United States values the ICRC’s work and relies on its capacity, particularly in conflict situations. Infiscal year 2013, the United States contributed more than $280 million to the ICRC’s work, which reflects ourconfidence in the organization. We look forward to supporting the ICRC in the future as we confront significanthumanitarian need around the globe.”).178