War & law

Weapons and international humanitarian law

International humanitarian law contains basic principles and rules governing the choice of weapons and prohibits or restricts the employment of certain weapons. The ICRC plays a leading role in the promotion and development of law regulating the use of certain weapons.

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Arms availability

The ICRC welcomes the adoption of a comprehensive, legally binding Arms Trade Treaty that establishes common international standards for the responsible transfer of all conventional weapons and their ammunition.
Chemical and biological weapons

The international community banned the use of chemical and biological weapons after World War I and reinforced the ban in 1972 and 1993 by prohibiting the development, production, stockpiling and transfer of these weapons. Today’s advances in life sciences and biotechnology, as well as changes in the security environment, have increased concern that long-standing restraints on the use of chemical and biological weapons may be ignored or eroded.
Nuclear weapons

The ICRC calls on all States not to use nuclear weapons, to take measures to limit the risk of proliferation and to pursue negotiations on a complete ban on nuclear weapons and their elimination.
Cluster munitions

In 2008, governments adopted the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which have killed and injured large numbers of civilians. This treaty prohibits the use, production, stockpiling and transfer of cluster munitions.
Anti-personnel landmines

Despite progress made since the adoption of the 1997 Mine Ban treaty, many challenges remain, especially linked to removing the remaining mines and to providing adequate assistance for those injured.

Customary law

General principles on the use of weapons

International Review of the Red Cross More articles

Special issue of the Review

International Review of the Red Cross, 2005, No. 859 – Means of warfare

In images More images

Publications More publications

Nuclear weapons

The existence of nuclear weapons raises questions about when the rights of States must yield to the interests of humanity, the capacity of our species to master its own technology and the reach of IHL.
Expert meeting report. "Incapacitating chemical agents": Law enforcement, human rights law and policy perspectives.

Summary report of the second and final ICRC expert meeting on so called "incapacitating chemical agents", April 2012

Red Cross Red Crescent Magazine

Beyond mine action: the Movement’s approach to weapon contamination
One outcome of the 30th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent is a resolution that included a call on states to strengthen the protection of civilians against the indiscriminate use and effects of weapons and munitions.
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- Putting a stop to cluster munitions
- Progress towards a mine-free world

Weapons and international humanitarian law

Highlights

The Arms Trade Treaty: Keeping the promise

The use of armed drones must comply with laws

Ensuring the complete elimination of chemical weapons

Who will assist the victims of nuclear weapons?

ICRC calls on States to prevent the development of toxic chemicals as weapons

Landmine victims need better help

Convention on Cluster Munitions: encouraging results but challenges remain

Weapons: ICRC statement to the United Nations, 2012

Selected Topics

Arms availability

Chemical and biological weapons

Nuclear weapons

Cluster munitions

Anti-personnel landmines

Customary law

International Review of the Red Cross More articles

More

Special issue of the Review

In images More images

FilmThe Arms Trade Treaty: Keeping the promise

VideoGracias por el apoyo –The ICRC in Colombia

Publications More publications

Nuclear weapons

Expert meeting report. "Incapacitating chemical agents": Law enforcement, human rights law and policy perspectives.

Red Cross Red Crescent Magazine

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