War & Law

Weapons

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. Read full overview

Highlights

Selected Topics

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.
Arms availability

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

The mine ban convention: progress and challenges in the second decade

This publication provides an overview of the achievements and challenges of the Mine Ban Convention in its second decade of operation.
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

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

Highlights

States must insist on urgent, effective action against cluster munitions

Weapons – ICRC statement to the United Nations, 2011

Nuclear weapons

Cyber warfare and IHL: some thoughts and questions

Banning cluster munitions: from political vision to practical action

Round table on new weapon technologies and IHL – conclusions

Weapon contamination

Convention on Anti-Personnel Mines – the need for more effective implementation

Phosphorous weapons – the ICRC's view

Selected Topics

Nuclear weapons

Arms availability

Cluster munitions

Anti-personnel landmines

Customary law

International Review of the Red Cross More articles

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Special issue of the Review

In images More images

FilmWeapon contamination

FilmDeath in the field

Publications More publications

The mine ban convention: progress and challenges in the second decade

Nuclear weapons

Red Cross Red Crescent Magazine

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