Is there a direct link between violations of international humanitarian law (IHL) and displacement during armed conflict? Can respect for IHL prevent displacement? These are some of many questions relating to IHL and displacement that arise during armed conflict, and which the ICRC aimed to provide evidence-based responses to through a research study, Displacement in times of armed conflict: How international humanitarian law protects in war, and why it matters.
This event launched the findings of this study which examines the intersection between IHL and displacement, and provides insights for determining whether violations of, or respect for IHL have a fostering or mitigating impact on displacement. During the launch ICRC Law and Policy Researcher, Dr Cédric Cotter presented the key findings from the research before joining a panel from the ICRC, Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre, and the EU’s delegation to the UN in Geneva and other international organizations to further discuss in greater detail implications and lessons from the report.
Read the report in full below:
This specific piece of research, correlating some of the issues relating to respect for IHL and displacement, is another part of the way that we can advocate for humanity during times of armed conflict.
Dr Helen Durham, Director of International Law and Policy, ICRC
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The biggest takeaway is that IHL matters... with this research we have one more confirmation that respecting IHL makes a huge difference for people affected by armed conflict
Dr Cédric Cotter, Law and Policy Researcher, ICRC
Background
This study is the first of the IHL Impact research series. Carried out under the umbrella of the Changing the narrative on international humanitarian law initiative, the research collects evidence that showcases the real impact of IHL during armed conflicts and examines the effects that arise from both compliance with, and violations of, IHL.
The event forms part of the Global Research and Debate Cycle on Migration and Displacement.