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Draft:Carlos Batallas

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  • Comment: He may or may not be notable; the sources I am able to evaluate mention his name but are not about him. Please read this information about the kind of sourcing that would be necessary.
    This issue is in addition to the ones mentioned above, non-neutral tone and lack of inline citations. bonadea contributions talk 16:04, 19 December 2024 (UTC)

Carlos Batallas (born May 6, 1964, Madrid, Spain) is a Spanish academic and humanitarian professional with extensive experience in international relations and humanitarian aid. Over his career, he has held senior roles in organizations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Movimiento por la Paz, el Desarme y la Libertad (MPDL). Batallas is also recognized for his teaching and research contributions to International Humanitarian Law (IHL).

Early Life and Education

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Born in Madrid, Batallas earned a degree in Political Science and Sociology from the Complutense University of Madrid in 1989, specializing in International Studies. He completed advanced doctoral coursework on European Union and Latin American cooperation, achieving research proficiency in 1994. In 2014, he obtained a Master's degree in Human Resources from Camilo José Cela University. He also completed executive education programs at IMD Business School and IE Business School, focusing on strategic leadership and organizational management.

Professional Career

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Movimiento por la Paz (MPDL)

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From 1991 to 1996, Batallas coordinated international programs at MPDL, where he established the organization's Humanitarian Aid Department. His projects focused on delivering aid in conflict zones such as the Former Yugoslavia, funded by international donors like the European Commission.

International Committee of the Red Cross ([[International Committee of the Red Cross|ICRC

Batallas joined the ICRC in 1996 and served in leadership roles across 20 countries.

  • Rwanda: Worked on family reunification efforts following the 1994 genocide.
  • Angola: As head of the ICRC mission in Huambo during the civil war, Batallas managed emergency operations and addressed the complexities of delivering humanitarian aid impartially in a conflict zone. His efforts are documented in Leon Kukkuk's book, Letters to Gabriella: Angola's Last War for Peace, What the UN Did and Why[1], which provides firsthand accounts of the challenges faced by humanitarian workers in Angola during this period. Following an attack on an ICRC convoy in 2002, he suspended operations for security reasons[2].
  • Yemen: As Head of the ICRC Delegation in Aden, Batallas oversaw humanitarian operations during the conflict. In 2018, he warned of the imminent collapse of dialysis treatment facilities due to the war, urging international support to save lives[3].
  • In January 2018, amid heavy fighting in Aden, he reported[4] that the clashes had resulted in 36 deaths and 185 injuries, highlighting the severe impact on the local population.
  • During his tenure in Yemen, Batallas highlighted the risks faced by humanitarian workers in conflict zones. He contributed expert insights to an article in El Mundo on the challenges of negotiating with armed groups. The article underscored his role in managing critical operations under volatile conditions[5].
  • Israel and Occupied Territories: As Deputy Head of Delegation, Batallas addressed security threats against ICRC personnel. In 2005, he engaged with local leaders and the Palestinian Authority to ensure the safety of humanitarian workers following potential kidnapping threats[6]. Moreover, he led detainee advocacy and facilitated humanitarian negotiations between Israeli and Palestinian authorities.
  • Jordan: Addressed the syrian refugee crisis in Jordan. Participated in workshops on crisis management and preparedness for weapons of mass destruction, emphasizing the importance of clear roles for authorities during emergencies[7].
  • Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): Supported initiatives such as developing sports facilities for disabled athletes in Goma[8].
  • Kyrgyzstan: Discussed the repatriation of Kyrgyz nationals from Syria with local authorities, highlighting his involvement in humanitarian diplomacy[9].
  • Geneva Headquarters: As Deputy Head of Operations, coordinated regional crisis responses in Europe and the Balkans.

Academic Contributions

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Batallas is an adjunct professor at IE University, teaching International Humanitarian Law and negotiation at IESPEGA. His research and public engagement focus on the application of IHL in contemporary conflicts, particularly involving technology and cyber warfare. Articles in Tiempo de Paz:

  • "The European Community in the Gulf War and Post-War Period: The Need for European Unity" (Tiempo de Paz, 1991)
  • "Political Changes in the East during 1989" (Tiempo de Paz, 1990)
  • "El derecho internacional humanitario en los conflictos actuales" (Tiempo de Paz, Issue 150, 2022)[10]
  • "Diplomacia humanitaria: Un faro en el desorden mundial" (Tiempo de Paz, Issue 153, 2023)[11]

Articles on IE Insights:

  • "When Disasters Strike, the World Still Wings It"[12]
  • "When AI Meets the Laws of War"[13]
  • "International Humanitarian Law: Navigating Boundaries in Times of Conflict"[14]

Current Activities

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Since leaving the ICRC in 2022, Batallas has focused on academic and coaching activities. He serves as a board member of MPDL and volunteers with the Spanish Red Cross's International Humanitarian Law Department[15]. Additionally, he is a certified career coach (EMCC Senior Pratitioner[16], Ikigai Coach and ICF ACC) specializing in transitions for humanitarian professionals.

Personal Life

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Batallas resides in Madrid, Spain. He is fluent in Spanish, English, and French, with proficiency in Portuguese and Russian.

References

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  1. ^ Letters to Gabriella. FLF Press. 2004. ISBN 978-1-891855-67-2.
  2. ^ https://allafrica.com/stories/200204110417.html
  3. ^ "ICRC warns of collapse of dialysis treatment in Yemen". Middle East Monitor. April 19, 2018.
  4. ^ "At least 36 dead as tank battle rocks Yemen's 'coup-hit' Aden". SBS News.
  5. ^ "El testimonio del buen samaritano español que salva la pierna a un niño en la guerra de Yemen". 9 February 2018.
  6. ^ "Wikileaks Diplomatic Cable: Icrc Rep On Post-threat Actions". wikileaks.jcvignoli.com.
  7. ^ "'Army preparing plan to deal with weapons of mass destruction'". Jordan Times. February 8, 2014.
  8. ^ "PICHA NA MAZUNGUMUZO: Bientôt l'Inauguration du premier terrain omnisport pour les athlètes en situation de handicap". 2019.
  9. ^ "Security Council Secretary Imankulov, Head of ICRC Mission discuss repatriation of Kyrgyzstanis from Syria". akipress.com.
  10. ^ "REVISTA 150 – Revista Tiempo de Paz".
  11. ^ "REVISTA 153 – Revista Tiempo de Paz".
  12. ^ "When Disasters Strike, The World Still Wings It". December 20, 2024.
  13. ^ "When AI Meets the Laws of War". October 3, 2024.
  14. ^ "International Humanitarian Law: Navigating Boundaries in Times of Conflict". October 24, 2023.
  15. ^ "CEDIH - Cruz Roja". www2.cruzroja.es.
  16. ^ "EMCC Profile".