Customary international law is made up of rules that come from "a general practice accepted as law" and that exist independent of treaty law. Customary international humanitarian law (IHL) is of crucial importance in today’s armed conflicts because it fills gaps left by treaty law in both international and non-international conflicts and so strengthens the protection offered to victims. Read full overview
The customary IHL database provides rapid access to the rules of customary IHL and enables users to examine practice around the world. Launched in August 2010, the database is updated periodically with new State and international practice. The most recent update, published on 23 August 2013, includes the national practice of three countries – Liberia, Norway and Sierra Leone – and international practice of two judicial bodies – the Eritrea-Ethiopia Claims Commission and the Special Court for Sierra Leone.
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Customary International Humanitarian Law 
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