Dialogue with weapon bearers

Those who actually carry the weapons, whether they are members of government armed forces or opposition groups, are in a position to wound or kill people or to themselves be wounded or killed. They are also in a position to either facilitate humanitarian action or hinder it. This is why the ICRC is so concerned to maintain and strengthen a dialogue that it considers a key part of its mandate to protect and assist people affected by war and other situations of violence. Read full overview

Highlights

Who we work with

ICRC relations with armed forces

The ICRC maintains a working dialogue with armed forces around the world, to ensure that the military know and apply IHL and Human Rights law in their operations and training, and facilitate humanitarian action.
ICRC relations with police and other law enforcement officials

Law enforcement agencies are important contacts for the ICRC, both in armed conflict and in other situations of violence, as they maintain public order and security, prevent and detect crime and protect and assist the population.
Building respect for humanitarian action and IHL among “other” weapon bearers

To encourage respect for the rules of IHL, the ICRC maintains contacts with so-called "other weapon bearers”, such as armed opposition groups and military/security firms, whose actions impact directly on civilians.

Reference documents

International Review of the Red Cross More articles

Special issue of the Review

In images More images

Publications More publications

To serve and protect: guide for police conduct and behaviour

This pocket-sized booklet adopts a simple pictorial format and aims to raise awareness as to the duties, responsibilities and powers of police and security officials in their daily law-enforcement practices.
Human rights and humanitarian law in professional policing concepts: highlights from the book "To serve and to protect"

This brochure intended for audiences involved in law-enforcement functions addresses the principles and rules of human rights and humanitarian law relevant to professional law enforcement in democratic contexts.

Red Cross Red Crescent Magazine

The grey zone
The practice of paying for military or security services is as old as war itself. Today, rapid growth and change in the for-profit military and security industry poses major challenges for those concerned about enforcement of human rights and humanitarian law.
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Dialogue with weapon bearers

Highlights

Senior Workshop on International Rules governing Military Operations – SWIRMO

ICRC plays its humanitarian role in military exercises

Thailand: training fosters dialogue between police and ICRC

Brookings event: understanding armed groups and the law

Japan: the role of armed forces and the ICRC in natural disasters

Military discipline and the law

International Humanitarian Law and New Weapon Technologies

Who we work with

ICRC relations with armed forces

ICRC relations with police and other law enforcement officials

Building respect for humanitarian action and IHL among “other” weapon bearers

Reference documents

International Review of the Red Cross More articles

More

Special issue of the Review

In images More images

VideoSouth Sudan: Teaching the rules of war in the world's youngest country

Photo gallerySouth Sudan: struggling for survival as conflict intensifies

Publications More publications

To serve and protect: guide for police conduct and behaviour

Human rights and humanitarian law in professional policing concepts: highlights from the book "To serve and to protect"

Red Cross Red Crescent Magazine

The grey zone
The practice of paying for military or security services is as old as war itself. Today, rapid growth and change in the for-profit military and security industry poses major challenges for those concerned about enforcement of human rights and humanitarian law.

More

Latest News

Related sections

Related sites

Dialogue with weapon bearers

Highlights

Who we work with

Reference documents

International Review of the Red Cross More articles

More

Special issue of the Review

In images More images

Publications More publications

Red Cross Red Crescent Magazine

The grey zone The practice of paying for military or security services is as old as war itself. Today, rapid growth and change in the for-profit military and security industry poses major challenges for those concerned about enforcement of human rights and humanitarian law.

More

Latest News

Related sections

Related sites

The grey zone
The practice of paying for military or security services is as old as war itself. Today, rapid growth and change in the for-profit military and security industry poses major challenges for those concerned about enforcement of human rights and humanitarian law.