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News Section International humanitarian law (IHL) in brief Section providing a general introduction to international humanitarian law (IHL) and how it protects both combatants and civilians in conflict; questions and answers on the law, its application and its relationship to the ICRC. ©ICRC/H. Plennevaux/ref. er-e-00060h
Eritrea. Distributing brochures on IHL to the civilian population..
International humanitarian law is a set of rules which seek, for humanitarian reasons, to limit the effects of armed conflict. It protects persons who are not or are no longer participating in the hostilities and restricts the means and methods of warfare. International humanitarian law is also known as the law of war or the law of armed conflict.
The seven fundamental rules applicable during armed conflicts
See also IHL and human rights and History of humanitarian law  Key document31-7-2004 What is international humanitarian law?Fact sheet providing a summary description of the sources, content and field of application of international humanitarian law. Fact Sheet Includes PDF 1-11-1993 International humanitarian law and the protection of war victimsExtract from "International Humanitarian Law : an introduction", Henry Dunant Institute, Geneva/Paul Haupt Publishers, Bern, 1993. Updated by the author in November 1998. 17-10-1988 Basic rules of the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols The text of the Geneva Conventions and of their Additional Protocols is very complex and not always easily understood by the layperson. A simplified work was needed to present and explain these international law treaties to an ever-increasing number of readers. In this study, the author, Jean de Preux, comments briefly on the main provisions of the Conventions and their Additional Protocols, brings out their meaning and specifies the relevant articles. For easy reference, an index is included at the end of the book. ICRC publication Includes PDF 1-9-2006 The Geneva Conventions: the core of international humanitarian lawThe 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 (civilians, medics, aid workers) and those who can no longer fight (wounded, sick and shipwrecked troops, prisoners of war). Links to selected resources. Answers to your questions31-10-2002 What is international humanitarian law? Extract from ICRC publication "International humanitarian law: answers to your questions" 31-10-2002 What are the essential rules of international humanitarian law?Extract from ICRC publication "International humanitarian law: answers to your questions" 31-10-2002 What are the origins of international humanitarian law? Extract from ICRC publication "International humanitarian law": answers to your questions 31-10-2002 What treaties make up international humanitarian law?Extract from ICRC publication "International humanitarian law: answers to your questions" 31-10-2002 Who is bound by the Geneva Conventions?Extract from ICRC publication "International humanitarian law: answers to your questions" 31-10-2002 What are jus ad bellum and jus in bello?Extract from ICRC publication "International humanitarian law: answers to your questions" 31-10-2002 In what situations does humanitarian law apply? For whom is it intended and who does it protect?Extract from ICRC publication "International humanitarian law: answers to your questions" 31-10-2002 Does humanitarian law apply to the new conflicts?Extract from ICRC publication "International humanitarian law: answers to your questions" 31-10-2002 How does humanitarian law adapt to new developments and what is the ICRC's role in the process?Extract from ICRC publication "International humanitarian law: answers to your questions" 31-10-2002 What does humanitarian law provide for in terms of material assistance to the victims of armed conflict?Extract from ICRC publication "International humanitarian law: answers to your questions" 31-10-2002 What does humanitarian law say with regard to the restoration of family links?Extract from ICRC publication International humanitarian law: answers to your questions 31-10-2002 What are the provisions of humanitarian law governing use of the emblem?Extract from ICRC publication "International humanitarian law: answers to your questions" 31-10-2002 How does humanitarian law protect refugees and internally displaced persons? Extract from ICRC publication "International humanitarian law: answers to your questions" 31-10-2002 What measures are available for implementing humanitarian law?Extract from ICRC publication International humanitarian law: answers to your questions 31-10-2002 What is the ICRC's role in ensuring respect for humanitarian law? Extract from ICRC publication "International humanitarian law: answers to your questions" 31-10-2002 How are war criminals prosecuted under humanitarian law?Extract from ICRC publication "International humanitarian law: answers to your questions" 31-10-2002 What is the difference between humanitarian law and human rights law?Extract from ICRC publication "International humanitarian law: answers to your questions" 31-10-2002 Does humanitarian law apply to peace-keeping and peace-enforcement operations carried out by or under the auspices of the united nations?Extract from ICRC publication "International humanitarian law: answers to your questions" 31-10-2002 What does humanitarian law say about terrorism?Extract from ICRC publication "International humanitarian law: answers to your questions" 31-3-2004 Frequently Asked Questions on International Humanitarian, Human Rights and Refugee Law in the context of armed conflictThe United Nations' Inter-Agency Standing Committee, a coordination group for humanitarian agencies, has produced a basic fact-file on legal aspects of aid work during conflicts. Two dozen concise questions and answers explain essentials such as who is protected, under which branch of law, what type of acts are forbidden, and what constitutes a war crime. Includes PDF ICRC film23-4-2004 More than wordsEmotive images and music are used to highlight IHL statements on the protection of civilians and reflects the ICRC's activities to implement them. This 30 second film spot for TV broadcast presents the importance of respecting the Geneva Conventions and the impact they have on those suffering in times of conflict. ICRC film Includes Video ICRC Publication31-12-2005 The basics of international humanitarian lawWhat is international humanitarian law (IHL)? Why is it important? How and who does it protect? Simple and concise answers to these and other related questions are given in this leaflet, including a brief overview of the ICRC's role as the "guardian" of IHL. An ideal first introduction to IHL. ICRC Publication Includes PDF 1-1-2004 International humanitarian law: answers to your questionsThis revamped version of the brochure is an ideal introduction to international humanitarian law. It explores how even in war there are limits: limits on the conduct of warfare and limits on the behaviour of combatants. Its colourful design and revised content, which includes a new chapter on what IHL says about terrorism, make it accessible to all readers interested in both the origins and the modern-day application of the law. ICRC publication Includes PDF 31-12-2001 Constraints on the waging of war: an introduction to international humanitarian lawFully revised, this 3rd edition gathers together the principal rules of humanitarian law from its origins to its most recent developments. It focuses particularly on the rules governing weapons and the field of international criminal law. Combining theory and actual practice, this book appeals to specialists as well as to students turning to the subject for the first time. ICRC publication Includes PDF 19-4-2007 Distinction: Protecting civilians in armed conflictThe cornerstone of the 1977 Additional Protocols is the principle of distinction. This leaflet provides a concise overview of the requirements of all parties to an armed conflict to distinguish between civilians and combatants, civilian objects and military targets. It describes the protection afforded by the Additional Protocols to both those not taking part in the conflict as well as the protection entitled to combatants. ICRC Publication Includes PDF 31-12-1992 Dictionary of the international law of armed conflict This dictionary presents the most important terms and concepts from two branches of international law: jus ad bellum and jus in bello. From "action, defensive" to "zone, territorial", over 450 entries are defined. ICRC Publication More in this section31-12-1988 Basic rules of international humanitarian law in armed conflicts This text has been prepared for dissemination purposes and cannot in any circumstances serve as a substitute for the complete provisions of the international agreements - Extract from "Basic rules of the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols"  |
