Contemporary challenges for IHL
… conflicts. While armed conflict and acts of terrorism are different forms of violence …
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Pandemic shows that we must build resilience and address humanitarian challenges for the long-term
… humanitarian exemptions in counter-terrorism and sanctions provisions, so that …
Humanitarian and military dialogue : Engaging with militaries to protect civilians in conflict zones
Speech given by Mr Peter Maurer at the Moscow International Security Conference, June 24, 2021 Excellencies, colleagues Thank you to the Ministry of Defense for the opportunity to address you: In the …
Contemporary Challenges to Humanitarian Action, 7th Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Lecture on International Humanitarian Law
… to have armed forces engaged in fighting terrorism and in situations of internal unrest … in the context of armed conflict, under terrorism legislation or common law issues go … such limits, or going beyond, in their anti-terrorism operations, in torturing and …
What are the triggers for global conflicts, and what can we do about them?
Speech given by Mr Peter Maurer, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, at the 19th Annual Asian Investment Conference in Hong Kong. Excellencies, distinguished Guests, ladies and …
Dakar Forum on Peace and Security: “There can be no security without human security”
… to stress the negative impact of counter-terrorism measures and sanctions that can … humanitarian exemptions to counter-terrorism measures and sanctions. If …
Children and armed conflict & violence against children
25th session, Human Rights Council The ICRC would like to address the impact of armed conflict on children's access to education and the specific measures that can be taken to improve the protection …
A statement from Robert Mardini, the director-general of the International Committee of the Red Cross, after his visit to Israel and occupied Palestinian territory this week
I visited Gaza yesterday, and the south of Israel today. The trauma in this region grows after each new round of hostilities. People remain wary of what's to come. What people shared with me is a …
Somalia: Reuniting families fleeing from Yemen
Armed conflict and other situations of violence and disasters cause much more anguish than what is seen on the surface. In the midst of terror and panic family members can be separated in minutes. In …
Contemporary challenges to IHL – Respect for IHL: overview
All States and other parties to an armed conflict have an obligation to respect and ensure respect for international humanitarian law (IHL) in all circumstances. They must use their influence to …
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ICRC library
Created in 1863, the ICRC library, alongside the ICRC archives, provides an indispensable documentary reference on the organization itself and international humanitarian law.
IHL treaties
International humanitarian law is based on a number of treaties, in particular the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their Additional Protocols, and a series of other instruments.
Customary IHL
Customary international humanitarian law consists of rules that come from "a general practice accepted as law" and that exist independent of treaty law.