| International humanitarian law Section explaining international humanitarian law (IHL), its role in the protection of victims of war and its relationship with the work of the ICRC. The main treaties are the four Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their Additional Protocols 3-5-2010 Convention on Cluster Munitions to enter into force on 1 August 2010.
By adopting and signing the Convention, States have taken a major step towards ending the death, injury and suffering caused by cluster munitions. States must continue to adhere to the Convention, and all governments, armed forces and armed groups must fully implement its provisions. Only then can the international community claim success against the dangers posed by these weapons.(Humanitarian law) |
12-4-2010 New customary IHL database to be published on 12 August 2010
The ICRC is launching a free, online database of its landmark customary international humanitarian law study with 50 per cent more content than the original printed version. Developed in association with the British Red Cross, it is designed to be used as a legal reference in international and non-international armed conflicts including by courts, tribunals and international organizations.(Humanitarian law) |
21-5-2010 Arms proliferation: the West African contribution to a global treaty
In the run-up to important United Nations discussions on a global Arms Trade Treaty, the ICRC asked Dr Cyriaque Agnekethom, in charge of small arms questions at the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), for a regional view of the issue.(Humanitarian law) |
19-4-2010 Bringing the era of nuclear weapons to an end
States have an historic opportunity to bring the era of nuclear weapons to an end once and for all. Recent positive developments signalled an unprecedented opportunity to reduce and eventually eliminate the threat posed by these arms. Addressing diplomats in Geneva, the ICRC's president, Jakob Kellenberger, appealed to States to ensure that nuclear weapons are never used again. (Humanitarian law) |
14-5-2010 International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent
First held in 1867, the International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent remains a unique forum for the Movement of the Red Cross and Red Crescent and States to discuss humanitarian issues. It explores new challenges in contemporary warfare and reaffirms States' obligation to respect humanitarian law.(Humanitarian law) |
2-6-2009 Clarifying the notion of direct participation in hostilities
International humanitarian law hinges on the principle of the distinction between combatants and civilians. The latter are entitled to full protection from attack unless they “directly participate in hostilities". Following six years of expert discussions and research, the ICRC is publishing interpretive guidance that clarifies the meaning and consequences of direct participation in hostilities under humanitarian law.
(Humanitarian law) |
7-5-2009 International humanitarian law: a universal code - film
This film looks at the poor security conditions frequently confronting the civilian population, the fact that people often have to flee their homes, hostage-taking, the dangers posed by cluster munitions, and the work of preventing and punishing war crimes. It tells us the basic rules of the law and reminds us that respecting them is everyone's responsibility. (Humanitarian law) |
26-3-2009
ICRC Advisory services - latest publications
(Humanitarian law) |
26-10-2009
Other documents of interest
(Humanitarian law) |
International Review of the Red Cross 31-3-2009 Typology of armed conflicts in international humanitarian law: legal concepts and actual situations
International humanitarian law does not contain precise enough criteria to determine which situations fall within its material field of application, as the reality of armed conflict is more complex than the categories anticipated by IHL. This article sets out to show how these categories can be interpreted in light of recent international legal developments, and examines various controversial cases of application.Sylvain Vité (Info resources\International Review\2009 - No. 873) |
Official Statement 23-4-2005 Humanitarian Law, Human Rights and Refugee Law – Three Pillars
International humanitarian law, refugee law and human rights law are complementary bodies of law that share a common goal, the protection of the lives, health and dignity of persons. They form a complex network of complementary protections and it is essential that we understand how they interact. Statement at the International Association of Refugee Law Judges world conference, Stockholm, 21-23 April 2005, by Emanuela-Chiara Gillard, ICRC Legal Adviser.(Humanitarian law\Refugees and IDPs) |
Event 26-7-2010 Round Table on “Global Violence: Consequences and Responses”
Celebration of the 40th anniversary of the International Institute of Humanitarian Law (IIHL), Sanremo, Italy, 9-11 September 2010.
Global violence is a universal scourge threatening the lives of millions of people all over the world and representing one of the major challenges of the 21st Century. The IIHL and the ICRC aim at reviewing some of the legal and practical challenges posed by contemporary armed conflicts and other situations of violence, in particular for the actors involved in deprivation of liberty. (Info resources\Events) |
Annual Report 19-5-2010 International humanitarian law: extract from ICRC Annual Report 2009
The protection of war victims is largely dependent on respect for IHL. In accordance with the mandate conferred upon it by the international community, the ICRC strives to promote compliance with IHL and to contribute to its development.(ICRC Activities\Promoting IHL) |
26-12-2007 The interplay between international humanitarian law and international
human rights law in situations of armed conflict
International human rights law and international humanitarian law are traditionally two distinct branches of law, one dealing with the protection of persons from abusive power, the other with the conduct of parties to an armed conflict. Yet, developments in international and national jurisprudence and practice have led to the recognition that these two bodies of law not only share a common humanist ideal of dignity and integrity but overlap substantially in practice.(Humanitarian law) |
News release 29-7-2010 Cluster munitions: banned at last!
Geneva (ICRC) – The entry into force of the Convention on Cluster Munitions on 1 August 2010 is a major step towards putting an end to the terrible suffering those weapons have caused for decades, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said today. (News) |
News release 30-6-2010 Somalia: shelling of Mogadishu's Keysaney Hospital results in death of patient
Geneva (ICRC) – Keysaney Hospital in northern Mogadishu was hit by a shell yesterday afternoon, killing one patient and wounding another. The shell struck the triage building, where war-wounded patients were waiting for medical emergency care, destroying the roof, producing cracks in the wall and leaving the hospital more exposed than ever. The hospital was clearly marked with the red crescent emblem.(News) |
News release 28-4-2010 Algeria: ICRC study day on parliamentarians' role in promoting respect for humanitarian law
Algiers (ICRC) – The delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Algeria and the Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Commission of the Assemblée Populaire Nationale (the lower house of the Algerian parliament) are organizing a study day for members of parliament on "The role of parliamentarians in promoting international humanitarian law and incorporating it into national legislation."(News) |
News release 26-4-2010 Colombia: plight of conflict victims mostly unreported
Geneva (ICRC) – With the shift of the armed conflict away from densely populated areas towards more remote regions, the plight of tens of thousands of people who still bear the brunt of the fighting has become almost invisible, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said today.(News) |
News release 20-4-2010 Nuclear weapons: historic opportunity to ensure they will never be used again
Geneva (ICRC) – States have an historic opportunity to bring the era of nuclear weapons to an end once and for all, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said today. Addressing diplomats in Geneva, the ICRC's president, Jakob Kellenberger, appealed to States to ensure that nuclear weapons are never used again.(News) |
News release 16-2-2010 Philippines: ICRC to consolidate efforts in 2010
ICRC (Manila) – The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) today renewed its commitment to the Philippines, with plans to increase work in jails and prisons, boost awareness of international humanitarian law (IHL) and continue its assistance and protection activities across the country in 2010.(News) |
News release 27-1-2010 Azerbaijan: enhancing protection of cultural property
Geneva/Baku (ICRC) – Azerbaijan's Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) are holding a round table today on the protection of cultural property in the event of armed conflict.(News) |
News release 26-1-2010 Afghanistan: war’s heavy toll on civilians
Kabul/Geneva (ICRC) – In the run-up to the international conference on Afghanistan to be held on 28 January in London, concern about rising civilian casualties remains high, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said today.(News) |
News release 15-12-2009 Afghanistan: first ICRC visit to detainees in Taliban custody
Kabul/Geneva (ICRC) – The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has carried out two visits to three members of the Afghan security forces detained by the Taliban in Badghis province, north-western Afghanistan.(News) |
News release 11-12-2009 Russian Federation: experts discuss new weapons and legal developments
Moscow (ICRC) – Around 70 experts will attend today's round table discussion on "New Types of Weapons and Development in International Humanitarian Law" organized jointly by the Russian Academy of Science's Institute of World Economy and International Relations and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). (News) |
News release 4-12-2009 Cartagena Summit: renewed commitment to end suffering caused by mines
Cartagena/Geneva (ICRC) – At the Cartagena Summit on a Mine-Free World, the States party to the Convention on the Prohibition of Anti-personnel Mines (Mine Ban Convention) have renewed their commitment to end the suffering caused by these weapons by adopting a five-year action plan to clear mined areas, assist mine victims and destroy all remaining stockpiles.(News) |
News release 18-11-2009 Iraq/Kuwait: high-level meeting to clarify fate of people missing since 1990-1991 Gulf War
Baghdad/Kuwait/Geneva (ICRC) – In an effort to clarify the fate of people missing in connection with the 1990-1991 Gulf War, representatives from Iraq, Kuwait and the Coalition (the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Saudi Arabia) are meeting in Kuwait on 18 November for the 32nd session of the Tripartite Commission, under the auspices of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).(News) |
News release 17-11-2009 Universal Children's Day: put a stop to crimes against children in war
Geneva (ICRC) – Ahead of Universal Children's Day on 20 November, and 20 years after the signing of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is urging conflict parties to fully respect existing international humanitarian and human rights law in order to enhance protection for the estimated one billion children affected by armed conflict worldwide.(News) |
News release 30-10-2009 Pakistan: targeting civilians is the ultimate denial of humanitarian law
Islamabad/Geneva (ICRC) – In the wake of Wednesday's bombing in Peshawar – the latest and bloodiest in a string of attacks targeting civilians – the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is alarmed at the severe and intensifying impact of violence on Pakistan's civilian population.(News) |
News release 19-10-2009 ICRC and IPU urge lawmakers to ensure greater respect for rules of war
Geneva – The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) are calling on parliamentarians and legislators around the world to do more to ensure that international humanitarian law (IHL) is both implemented and respected.(News) |
News release 8-10-2009 Yemen: more must be done to ensure aid gets through
Geneva/Sana'a (ICRC) – The conflict in northern Yemen is increasingly putting civilian lives at risk, leaving tens of thousands without vital aid and forcing many more to flee conflict areas. Unless more is done to protect civilians and ensure that they can receive life-saving aid, the situation will worsen further, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said today.(News) |
News release 2-10-2009 Australia: launch of new book on wars of dignity in the Pacific
Sydney (ICRC) – A new book, Under the Protection of the Palm: Wars of Dignity in the Pacific, reveals that in Tuvalu killing women and children was considered shameful, that in the Solomon Islands captive warriors were treated with respect and in Samoa, fighters differentiated themselves from civilians by wearing white hats.(News) |
News release 3-8-2009 Eritrea: authorities terminate ICRC role in repatriations of Ethiopians
Geneva (ICRC) – The Eritrean authorities have informed the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) that it will no longer be involved in any repatriation of Ethiopians from the country. According to the authorities, this decision was motivated by the unilateral cancellation of two repatriation operations in late 2008 and early 2009 by Ethiopia.(News) |
News release 26-6-2009 Landmines and explosive remnants of war: delivering on the promises to victims
Geneva/Oslo (ICRC) - Experts from countries worldwide affected by mines and explosive remnants of war met in Oslo, Norway, from 23 – 25 June to discuss how to improve the quality of life of victims of landmines, cluster munitions and other explosive remnants of war in their countries.(News) |
| 25-3-2004
See also (Humanitarian law) |
25-3-2004 Promotion of IHL
with armed forces, police, students,... (Humanitarian law) |
25-3-2004 Fact sheets
Issued by the ICRC's Advisory Service(Humanitarian law) |
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SWIRMO 2010 – Senior Workshop on International Rules governing Military Operations
