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2024 ICRC report on IHL and the challenges of contemporary armed conflicts

Building a culture of compliance for IHL to protect humanity in today’s and future conflicts
An ICRC weapons contamination specialist talks to a Syrian Arab Red Crescent staff member during an explosive ordnance disposal training session. Ammar Saboh/ICRC

This is the sixth report on international humanitarian law (IHL) and the challenges of contemporary armed conflicts prepared by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for the International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent 

The Challenges Report provides an overview of some of the major challenges for IHL posed by contemporary armed conflicts, with the aim to:

  • generate broader reflection on those challenges; and
  • outline current or prospective ICRC action, positions, and areas of interest.

The 2024 report complements previous Challenges Reports, which the ICRC submitted to the quadrennial International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent in 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015 and 2019.

Translations of the 2024 report will be forthcoming.

Main topics of the 2024 Challenges Report

The prohibition of nuclear weapons: Protecting humanity from unspeakable suffering

Nuclear weapons and IHL; The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons

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Clarifying the legal framework: ‘Grey zones’, ‘competition’, ‘hybrid warfare’ or ‘proxy warfare’

The narratives surrounding ‘competition’, ‘hybrid warfare’, ‘proxy warfare’ or other ‘grey zone’ terminology; the application of international humanitarian law; and the classification of armed conflicts.

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Towards more effective protection for people in the hands of parties to armed conflict

People deprived of liberty in armed conflict; separated family members, missing people and the dead, and their families; the separation of children from their families; and protecting diverse people.

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Balancing in good faith the principles of humanity and military necessity in the conduct of hostilities

The urbanization of armed conflict; the protection of medical facilities; food security; protection of the natural environment; and reinforcing the stigma associated with anti-personnel mines and cluster munitions.

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Applying IHL to new technologies of warfare

Cyber operations, information operations and other digital threats; autonomous weapon systems; artificial intelligence in military planning and decision-making; and reducing the human cost of military operations in outer space.

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Protecting and facilitating impartial humanitarian work in evolving conflicts

Maintaining space for humanitarian action in sanctions and counter-terrorism measures; and protecting humanitarian organizations against digital threats.

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Building a culture of compliance with IHL

Bringing IHL home: States’ implementation of IHL and the repression of violation; building bridges for IHL through dialogue with cultural and legal frameworks; ensuring respect for IHL in the transfer of weapons; and respect for IHL and easing the path to peace.

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