War & law

Treaties and customary law

International humanitarian law is based on a large number of treaties, in particular the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their Additional Protocols, and a series of other conventions and protocols covering specific aspects of the law of armed conflict. There is also a substantial body of customary law that is binding on all States and parties to a conflict. Read full overview

Highlights

ICRC database on customary international humanitarian law: new update of State practice
ICRC welcomes entry into force of Kampala Convention for displaced persons
Japan: Kyoto roundtable on Additional Protocols (3-4 November 2011)
Bringing the Commentaries on the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols to the 21st Century

Key links

Selected Topics

The Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their Additional Protocols

The Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols are international treaties that contain the most important rules limiting the barbarity of war. They protect people who do not take part in the fighting.
Customary international humanitarian law

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 IHL is of crucial importance because it fills gaps left by treaty law and so strengthens the protection offered to victims.

International Review of the Red Cross More articles

Publications More publications

The domestic implementation of International Humanitarian Law: a manual

This manual is a practical tool to assist policy-makers, legislators and other stakeholders in ratifying IHL law instruments.
Treaties and commentaries database and national implementation database – December 2012

This CD includes 2 databases: one of national implementation measures provides examples of legislation and jurisprudence. The other is a compilation of IHL treaties with the current status of signatures and ratifications.

Red Cross Red Crescent Magazine

Customary international humanitarian law
The ICRC presents a new and long-awaited study that identifies enhanced protection for war victims – Article published in the Red Cross Red Crescent Magazine, No 2, 2005